Craig Richards targets Anthony Joshua bill for maximum exposure
Friday 25 November 2016 11:43, UK
Craig Richards has already had a taste of the big fight atmosphere and hopes to appear on the same bill as Anthony Joshua next year.
The south London super-middleweight will bring his busy year to a close when he battles Bronislav Kubin on the same bill as Katie Taylor's professional debut this Saturday, live on Sky Sports.
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During a six-fight unbeaten career, Richards has already displayed his ring skills on the undercard for Gennady Golovkin's win over Kell Brook, and also fought before Joshua's public workout in Bethnal Green.
The 26-year-old wants to further enhance his profile in the coming months and intends to stake his claim for an appearance on a future Joshua bill by defeating Kubin in style.
"I've had a good year and it was great to fight on the same night as the Anthony Joshua public workout," Richards told Sky Sports.
My big aim next year would be to appear on one of Joshua's undercards at The O2
"I was also on the Kell Brook-Gennady Golovkin undercard. That was the bigger show, but my best performance was on the Joshua workout.
"My aim for next year would be to appear on one of Joshua's undercards at The O2. It's a big platform and that's 100 per cent where I want to take my career in 2017."
Richards had been hampered by a slight injury since an impressive first-round victory over Richard Horton in June at York Hall, but is back to full fitness and will seek out another stoppage win.
"I had a little injury after the Horton fight and was a bit wary of my right hand in my next couple of fights, but it's got better and I'm ready to go out and perform," said Richards.
"It's at Wembley Arena, there will be a big crowd, and it's a good place to showcase my skills."
IBF champion James DeGale, George Groves and Callum Smith are all in a high quality domestic division and Richards is determined to make his name while moving towards British title contention.
"Early next year I want to win the Southern Area title and then hopefully an English title as well," he said. "By this time next year, I want to be thinking about moving up to British level."
