Boxing experts give their predictions for Lerrone Richards vs Umar Sadiq
'Top Boxer' Umar Sadiq (10-1, 6KOs) will challenge 'Sniper the Boss' Lerrone Richards (13-0, 3KOs) for his British and Commonwealth super middleweight titles in July, live on BT Sport.
Both Londoners are highly-touted and coming into the championship clash with an impressive win behind them.
BBN asked their panel of experts in the boxing profession for their take on how the fight could go:
Mark Tibbs
Trainer & Manager
"I like both fighters personally. Myself and dad hired Lerrone Richards for Billy Joe Saunders v Andy Lee world title fight training camp back in 2015, so I know he’s a clever operator. Bit lazy, probably a bit comfortable being comfortable.
Sadiq, I’ve used for sparring against Richard Riakapore recently and he surprised me. His long game was good, short game too was equally on point, set pace also, he was game as he wanted a fight in which I had to remind him they don’t call you 'Top Boxer' for nothing, as was willing to trade.
As I said, both proper gentleman and a good fight indeed… all the best to them both."
Ace Adam
Unbeaten super middleweight
"What a fight! You got the 'Sniper Boss' Richards vs Sadiq, it's a straight 50-50 fight, both very talented, very gifted, so we are going to be in for a 50-50 fight, it could go either way."
Kieran Gething
Welsh Area super lightweight champion
"I know Sadiq picked up a good win against Kody Davies but I do believe Sniper is rightfully highly-touted and will likely do the business."
Tino Bellot
Three-weight National amateur champion
"This is gonna be a cracking fight! I rate Umar Sadiq highly, he wants to fight the best and has developed a lot since his defeat to Chelli. But I think Lerrone Richards is such a classy boxer and, in a 12 round contest, he’ll have too much for Sadiq.
So I’m going for a UD win for Richards."
Steve Wood
Manager & Promoter, VIP Promotions
"Very difficult pick this, as I see it as a genuine 50/50 fight.
Lerrone has both impressed me and frustrated me in the same fight, you can see the special talent but know that there is a lot more to come out but maybe something is missing?
Umar has obviously learnt from his early loss to Zak Chelli and in his last fight beat the unbeaten Kody Davies who held a win over Chelli, this was a very good win that went unnoticed.
Richards will start as the favourite and has the skills to make it an easy fight, I can see him having an early lead but, against the odds, I can see Sadiq turning it round and getting the win."
Tim Rickson
Sports Agent
"Both these fighters are so refreshing, as they are ready and willing to fight anyone in their way.
Umar Sadiq has proven he's up for a challenge when he took on fellow unbeaten stablemate Zak Chelli in just his fourth fight, and what a shootout that was! His last win over undefeated Kody Davies was highly impressive, and those 10 rounds in February will give him the advantage in momentum.
Lerrone Richards only fought last November when he beat undefeated Lennox Clarke in the first defence of his Commonwealth strap and added the British belt with the split decision win. His career-best win was against Tommy Langford, a classy boxer himself, in April 2019 with a unanimous decision.
Most of his wins are on points, his last stoppage was three years ago. Because of his style he doesn't manage to generate the power behind his punches, often on the backfoot or on the move, so he'll be fully comfortable in going the 12-round distance, which is something Sadiq hasn't ever done before.
I think Sadiq will present a tough challenge for Richards, but the champion is just too slick and skilful to outbox. I'd predict Richards to box clever for 12 rounds, racking up the rounds all the way through to a unanimous points victory."
Ben Day
Former Southern Area super lightweight champion
"Lerrone is the man, it’s his time to keep shining!"
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