Richards Lodges WBA Appeal Following Controversial Interim Title Loss in Canada
Lerrone Richards describes the verdict as “incompetence” and highlights the financial and emotional toll of the loss on his family.
British boxer Lerrone Richards has formally appealed the World Boxing Association’s verdict following his interim light heavyweight title bout against Albert Ramirez in Canada. The 33-year-old, who believes he won 10 of the 12 rounds, described the judges’ decision as “incompetence” and expressed devastation at being denied the victory on foreign soil. His team is now seeking either an overturn of the official result or an immediate rematch.
The contest, which took place last Thursday, saw Richards perform what he termed a “career-best” showing against one of the division’s most feared contenders. Despite Richards’ assessment that he dominated the bout, with some observers suggesting he won every round, the judges awarded the victory to Ramirez. Richards told Uncrowned that he was “robbed” of the title, noting that the outcome felt particularly unjust given the clear disparity in his performance compared to the scorecards.
The financial implications of the loss have been significant for Richards, who has two children and relies on his boxing career to provide for his family. He stated that a victory would have “opened so many doors” and secured his family’s financial future. The emotional toll was evident in the changing room, where Richards admitted there were “a lot of tears,” highlighting the mental strain of missing such a pivotal career opportunity after years of waiting for a major shot.
Richards’ path to this title shot was fraught with setbacks, including a period of inactivity and personal struggles that kept him from the elite level for several years. A shock defeat to Steed Woodall in 2024 had previously sent him to the “back of the queue” for big fights. However, an opportunity arose after sparring light heavyweight contender Imam Khataev in Canada, which led to his WBA ranking and the subsequent bout with Ramirez.
If the WBA does not intervene to order a rematch, Richards intends to remain active in the domestic British scene. He has identified several top contenders as potential future opponents, specifically naming Ben Whittaker, Joshua Buatsi, and Callum Smith. As a top-10 ranked fighter in the light heavyweight division, Richards remains determined to test his skills against these domestic rivals to prove his standing in the sport.
