Lerrone Richards became European Super-middleweight champion in only his 15th start as a professional when he won a wide unanimous points decision over Italian veteran and former world titleholder Giovanni De Carolis at the Manchester Arena live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in other territories.
Richards produced the most complete performance of his career to date, one that marks him as a possible world-title contender in the next 18 - 24 months. True, De Carolis might have lost a step since his heyday as WBA world super-middleweight titleholder in 2016, but Richards practically didn't put a foot wrong in the entire 12 rounds.
Richards defensive wizardry will please some and turn others away, but for me, it was mesmerizing at times and a joy to watch the rest of the time.
It will be interesting to see how he deals with the young guns in the world's top-10.
Scores: Francisco Alloza Rosa 119-109 | Ian John-Lewis 120-108 | Anssi Perajoki 120-108.