Joshua vs Takam: Frank Buglioni retains British title with points victory over Craig Richards

Frank Buglioni retained his British light-heavyweight title with a wide points victory over Craig Richards in Cardiff.

The North Londoner had to cope with a late change of opponent as Richards came in for Callum Johnson, although Buglioni's relentless work rate would earn him a unanimous decision with scores of 117-111, 117-111 and 116-113 at the Principality Stadium.

Buglioni marched forward from the first bell, whipping hooks to the head and body of Richards, who tried to establish his stiff jab.

The champion stamped his authority in the second round, briefly trapping 'Spider' in the corner with a crunching combination.

But Richards responded with spiteful shots of his own in the third, stunning Buglioni with a counter right hand and then whipping hooks around the high guard of 'Wise Guy.'

There was renewed urgency from Buglioni in the fourth as he bullied his fellow Londoner to the ropes, while Richards was forced to withstand some crisp right hands in the fifth.

Richards seemed to feel the physical demands of the fight in the sixth, with Buglioni pumping out punches from close quarters, but the spirited challenger replied with jolting jabs in the seventh.

Buglioni reasserted his command in the eighth and Richards sagged wearily on the ropes after a sustained assault, although he mustered a short defiant flurry at the end of the ninth.

A heavy right hand sparked another assault from Buglioni in the 10th, but he sustained a cut over his left eye in the 11th round, and had to settle for a wide victory on the scorecards.