Crowd pleasing British veterans Craig ‘Spider’ Richards and Super Dan Azeez meet on Saturday night as the chief attraction on Matchroom’s first card from Africa. The two are looking to make one more run at British and regional titles.
Aged 35 and 36 respectively, Craig Richards and Dan Azeez will be looking to begin one last run toward the British title they’ve both previously held when they meet at the Legon Sports Stadium in Accra, Ghana.
The pair should offer an interesting mesh of styles. Azeez is shorter and boxes with an orthodox style. Shoulders rolling as he shifts his head off line while moving forward, always forward. A student of the past, the Lewisham born boxer presents in velvet shorts with white tube socks stretching out from his boots. Azeez could be plucked from a Chacon or Hagler undercard, like a visitor from 1982.
His richest sequence of form is now behind him and there has been signs of decline in recent performances too. A record of 22-2-1 (14ko), compiled across 171 rounds includes victories over Hosea Burton, Shakan Peters, Reece Cartwright and a tired Rocky Fielding in 2021/22. It propelled the likeable Azeez towards a European title shot, which he won, and then eventually a fight with Joshua Buatsi for the British and Commonwealth titles.
Defeat followed in a disappointingly tepid display from a man customarily consistent and composed in his pressure and work behind the jab. Perhaps he had already maximised his potential, over achieved even. Certainly, Buatsi was too well-schooled and made it look relatively easy to out-manoeuvre Super Dan. The throwback outfit, broad shoulders and methodical, precise style couldn’t help Azeez prevent Buatsi closing out a wide Unanimous Decision.
Whether a fight in Africa can muster a spark in the dwindling energy Azeez has demonstrated recently remains to be seen. The promotion is Matchroom Sports’ first venture on the continent and likely a precursor to an Anthony Joshua fight taking place there if fights with Tyson Fury don’t materialise.
If Azeez is to prevail and relaunch himself as a viable contender at British and perhaps beyond, he will need to navigate Richards superior reach and avoid the fellow Londoners double jab and looping right hand. Success for Wzeez will be found by closing the distance, working the body in combination and then capitalising on Richards’ occasional habit of leaving his chin exposed, and predictable in it’s position. Azeez is cute enough to find the treasure that flaw in Richards’ make up may afford him. Richards is also on the redemption trail after some erratic results over the past couple of years. Aged 35, he too is no longer improving as a fighter.
Success for Richards will come via movement in the early rounds. Discouraging Azeez from distance and forcing the shorter man to stay on the end of Richards’ jab. He sweeps his left hand in behind a double jab when operating at his most effective so watch for haymaker right hand and left hands if he forces the advancing Azeez to retreat. Both men hold a shot well and a distance fight is widely anticipated. I anticipate a close fight but sense Richards may just have the energy and tools to repel Azeez and secure a restorative win.
Where wins and losses could propel the two men too is difficult to speculate on, but both men will believe they can win and pursue bigger prizes. That usually makes for an interesting spectacle. Look for the Richards points win if you are inclined, the draw also tempts subject to odds. Richards has the quicker, more decisive tools. It should be enough at this stage of their respective careers.