Believing he would, Richards opted to stick around in Montreal, despite having no fight. He soaked up the atmosphere of the event he was meant to headline and he acclimatised to his surroundings. He said to those who asked him how he was feeling, “Don’t worry, I’ll be back.”

Next week, on June 4, he will be proved correct. Next week Richards and Ramirez will attempt to do what they failed to do last time, and at the same venue: Montreal Casino. 

Though it has only been a few months since their first attempt, Richards claims he is today a better fighter than he was back in February. He also knows a great deal more about the champion he aims to dethrone. 

“I’m a boxing purist and a boxing fan and watch a lot of boxing across all weight classes,” said Richards. “Did I know about Ramirez? Well, kind of. But he’s not really the biggest name in the division, let’s be honest. I was aware of him because he is in my weight class and that’s it. But once I found out I was fighting him, I had a look at him. 

“He’s an all-round type of fighter. Obviously, you can see by his knockout ratio that he carries a lot of power. He has a good amateur pedigree as well, like myself. He’s a good thinking fighter and I rate him. You can see why he has the belt and the rankings he has. I can’t wait to take it from him. As good as he is, Ramirez has not boxed anyone at my level.”

Although Ramirez is unbeaten in 22 fights, with 19 wins inside the distance, Richards is not wrong to say he is untested. He has fought in Mexico, Russia, Argentina, France, Canada, Venezuela, and even Libya, but not once has Ramirez faced a familiar name or someone favoured to beat him. That doesn’t mean his reputation is unwarranted, only that his record, as impressive as it is, might not tell the whole story. 

Richards, meanwhile, has a professional record of 19-1 (4 KOs) and has, as a super middleweight, held British, Commonwealth and European titles, as well as an IBO belt. Now at light heavyweight, the Londoner is eager to break new ground and go one better than domestic, European and fringe world titles. Not only that, he is eager to show that the only thing stopping him ruling the world as a super middleweight was the difficulty he had making the 168lb weight limit. 

“I was staying at super middleweight for way too long, and I paid the price unfortunately,” Richards said, referring to his one pro loss: a sixth-round stoppage defeat to Steed Woodall in 2024. “But sometimes that’s what happens. It’s a lesson learnt. I’ve gone up now and I feel stronger than ever. I’m really happy about the weight and the decision to move up. 

“In that situation I was very stubborn. But I’m one of the most avoided fighters in the country. It’s hard because nobody really wants to fight me. It’s surprising that even after my loss nobody wants to fight me. When they talk about light heavyweights, they never mention me. But you would think that given what I did at super middleweight, they would at least bring up my name now and again. Nobody does, though. They keep my name out of their mouth. Once I win this fight they will have to talk about me.”

Like many a low-key technician, Richards is a boxer trying to make himself heard in a sport that frowns upon nuance and rewards those who make loud noises. Even if a boxer today has the skills to achieve success, there is a growing fear that they need more than just skill to get opportunities and stand out from the crowd. 

Richards, now 33, has certainly confronted that fear in recent times, though believes that eventually he will win over both those who doubt him and those who refuse to even acknowledge his existence. 

“You would think a British fighter like me – a top amateur who has won major professional titles – would be backed a bit more,” he said. “They would think, You know what, he’s a horrible guy to fight, he’s very good, let’s promote him and push him. But nobody has decided to do that. That’s why I’ve just got to go out there, do my thing, win my belt, and come back and say, ‘Hi, guys. Remember me?’”

In order for Richards to receive some attention back at home, he must first go away. Should he then return home with a belt, there is a chance people – opponents, promoters, TV bosses – might look at him differently when he passes them on the street. Either way, it will be a lot harder to ignore him. 

“It might sound weird and unexpected when I say this, but I prefer to do it this way,” said Richards. “People might look at me and say, “Yeah, but he doesn’t have a choice.” But we all have a choice, right? I’m enjoying the choices I have made. I don’t really care about boxing in someone else’s backyard [Ramirez is promoted by Montreal-based promotional outfit Eye of the Tiger]. The world is my home.”

He added: “It does look like I’m going to do it the hard way and yeah I am, I guess. But I don’t look at it that way. I just see this as another day at the office. That’s all it is to me. It’s just another opponent. A dangerous opponent, yeah, but still just another opponent. I believe I can compete at this level.

“I’m confident. I’m not naïve and I’m not boastful, but I believe in myself. It doesn’t matter what anyone says to me – I have a great team around me and they believe in my ability – it’s about what’s in my mind.”

Much of Richard’s belief stems from his ability and the fact that he has been preparing for this fight with Ramirez for most of the year. Added to that is Richards’ experience, as both an amateur and pro, which should stand him in good stead and give him reason to believe. After all, with experience comes knowledge; with knowledge comes confidence. 

“I’ve been boxing since I was six years old, had over 100 amateur fights, and have been a pro now for 13 years,” Richards said. “I have done something at each level – British, Commonwealth, European, international, IBO – and been top 10 in The Ring magazine rankings at super middleweight. Everything about me is real. I’m not at this level due to luck. I’ve achieved. When you skip levels, you might question yourself. Am I meant to be at this level? Can I do this? But I don’t have that doubt because I’ve proved myself at each step. I’m mature, I’m experienced, and I’m older now, so I can break things down a lot more efficiently. 

“I know I’m going to be happy on June 4th. That feeling I can’t wait to feel. It will be a different trip home this time. I’ll have a nice shiny belt with me.”

In that nice shiny belt Richards will at some point see his reflection: the big smile, the tears in his eyes. He will also be seen by others holding it, wearing it, owning it. They might not call him a “world champion”, but at least now they might have a reason to fight him.