BBN asked their panel of experts who wins the Lerrone Richards vs Tommy Langford fight
Unbeaten southpaw Lerrone Richards (11-0, 3KOs) faces former British and Commonwealth middleweight champion Tommy Langford (21-3, 6KOs) for the vacant Commonwealth and WBO International super-middleweight titles. There's a lot at stake with the winner likely set to challenge for the British belt next as well as landing a top-15 world ranking with the World Boxing Organisation.
BBN asked their panel of experts to pick a winner between 'Sniper The Boss' and the 'Baggies Bomber':
Billy Joe Saunders
Former WBO world midleweight champion
"I brought Lerrone out for sparring for the Andy Lee fight. He is a brilliant fighter. Lerrone is going to go far in the sport and for me there is one winner in that fight at Wembley.
Tommy is a top fella, tries his heart out and Lerrone has to be on it because it is a big step up from where he has been boxing, but I believe Lerrone can come through it.
When it comes to talent Lerrone is up there with the top five in Britain, 100 per-cent. He is very, very talented.”
Mark Tibbs
Boxing Trainer and Former Professional Boxer
"Lerrone should be too tricky for Langford, and could put on a good, entertaining performance if he allows himself to be busier and a tad more spiteful.
Langford can’t be outruled because has had the bettter experience so far, but Richards is fresh and ambitious, therefore I’d back Richards to win."
Tey Lynn-Jones
Southern Area middleweight champion
"This will be a great fight!
I believe Lerrone is on the way up – very smart, slick southpaw. It'll be interesting to see Langford at super-middle, but going with Richards all day."
Robbie Davies Jr
British and European super-lightweight champion
"This is a crossroads fight I am completely on the fence for.
Richards with good momentum and already a champion at super-middle against the more experienced Tommy Langford, moving up in weight. Two top lads, so this is one I can't pick a winner for. I think whoever gets their tactics right on the night wins."
Johnny Edwards
Head Trainer at Guildford City Gym
"Lerrone Richards, for me, by points decision.
I have watched both boxers and had my own boxers against them both through their amateur career and followed there pro careers cosely. Both very dedicated professional boxers, but Richards just too sharp."
Tim Rickson
Sports Agent
"I have represented Tommy for around five years now, so I've seen first-hand the work that he puts in behind the scenes and how he acts as a consummate professional in and out of the ring.
I was at his fights with Jason Welborn and honestly believed he won both. The first fight was a home decision and the two knockdowns in the rematch cost him that fight, despite winning nearly every round. He has since admitted struggling with the weight limit, so this move up to super-middle should make all the difference.
I expect this fight will be very technical and a spectacle for the boxing purists. I know that Lerrone is a fantastic fighter, very sharp and gifted, but Tommy can match everything he has, and his experience at the higher level and all those championship rounds under his belt, he will be able to take it up a gear whenever he wants to.
Lerrone has said that if he rocks Tommy, he stops him. Well, a performance enhanced Kurtsidze, who had five straight knockouts going into the fight, was the only man to stop Tommy, who rose to his feet and wanted to continue, but the ref took that chance away from him. The second knockdown against Welborn in their last fight was a heavy knockdown, but he still got up and fought on and got back in the driving seat to dominate the fight. Tommy is a warrior and there's no way Richards, with his three stoppages from 11 contests, is going to stop him.
I am siding with Langford on points in a close fight."
Aqib Tahlat
BBN Writer
"I think Lerrone Richards should win in a close fight that might go the distance.
Richards' clean punching ability alongside his power will be too much for Tommy Langford. This would be Richards best win thus far in his undefeated career if he sticks to what he has been doing. The fight will be very technical at times, but I think it will come to who wants it most in the championship rounds.
I have Lerrone Richards on points in a close fight."
Ace Adam
Super-middleweight debutant
"I expect Richards will win, either on points or via stoppage."
Daniel Smith
BBN Writer
"I'm really looking forward to seeing Tommy at super-middleweight. His second encounter with Jason Wellborn was another relentless scrap between the pair, however, I feel the weight cut had a massive impact on his engine that night.
Langford's a big lad, and 160lb weight class for a fella who's 6ft is too much of a strip. I still believe at super-middle he'll be sharp, but with the added stamina in his work rate and a bit more beef behind his punches.
Lerrone Richards can definitely hurt Langford and he'll be looking to dismantle the former British champion in ruthless and emphatic fashion. He's got decent power and stabs in and out with ferocious flurries. With that said, I feel he's quite loose and casual at times; in turn, I reckon Tommy could capitalise and make him pay.
It's going to be a cracking fight on a massive platform for the two lads – I'm going for a Tommy Langford win. For me, Tommy's got the skill, but, he's also got the heart and determination to accompany his proficiency."
Everything you need to know about Richards vs Langford HERE