Matchroom Boxing’s efforts to establish a beachhead in Ghana, ostensibly to set up a future show headlined by Anthony Joshua, will officially kick off on December 20th when light heavyweights Craig Richards and Dan Azeez meet in Accra.
Richards (19-4-1, 12 KO) scored an impressive knockout of then-unbeaten Shakan Pitters to set up major opportunities against Dmitrii Bivol and Joshua Buatsi, falling short but giving a good account of himself in defeat. That wasn’t the case against Willy Hutchinson, who beat “Spider” via wide decision last year as part of Queensberry’s clean sweep of Matchroom in Riyadh.
He re-entered the win column last March with a body shot finish of Padraig McCrory.
Azeez (22-2-1, 14 KO) had one of the more abrupt falls from grace in recent memory. Once seen as a real player in the UK’s stacked light heavyweight scene, a rough loss to Joshua Buatsi seemed to deflate him all at once. He was lucky to escape with a draw against journeyman Hrvoje Sep four months later, then dropped a majority decision to Lewis Edmondson in a bid to recapture the British and Commonwealth belts.
He’s won a couple of six-rounders so far in 2025, the most recent a four-round finish in Lagos, Nigeria last month. That marks the lone African fight for either of the headliners.
“I’m so excited for December 20,” Richards said. “Ghana has had some great fighters, such as Azumah Nelson, and boxing has had many significant and historic nights in Africa, such as the Rumble in the Jungle.
“I cannot wait to headline such a massive event – and I plan to put on a statement performance.”
Azeez returns to the continent after defeating Sulaimon Adeosun in Lagos, Nigeria, last month, and he is eager to face his compatriot on a big stage.
“I am looking forward to facing fellow South Londoner Craig Richards in Africa,” Azeez said. “This fight marks a significant moment for me — two talented boxers from South London taking their rivalry to the motherland.
“I see this as more than just a contest; it’s a celebration of heritage, hard work, and how far South London boxing has come on the global stage.”
Undercard highlights include heavyweight prospect Leo Atang (2-0, 2 KO), Paris 2024 Olympic quarterfinalist Nishant Dev (4-0, 2 KO), and fast-rising local favorite Theo Allotey (12-0, 10 KO).
