Craig Richards stops Dan Azeez in Ghana

"Super" Dan Azeez stunned by "Spider" Craig Richards in Battle for South London

On December 20, 2025, the Battle for South London took place 4,000 miles away in Accra, Ghana, as Crystal Palace's Craig Richards knocked out Lewisham's Dan Azeez in the 12th round to claim bragging rights and the vacant IBF International light-heavyweight title.

35-year-old world title contender Richards (20-4-1, 13 KOs) headed into this 25th fight of his 10-year pro career off the back of prior KO win over Padraig McCrory last March, while 36-year-old Azeez (22-3-1, 14 KOs) had won two bouts this year since a majority decision loss to Lewis Edmondson last year.

Headlining at the Legon Sports Stadium, both "Spider" Richards and "Super" Azeez hail from South London, but took their local rivalry across the Atlantic to the the Republic of Ghana. Both boxers are former British light-heavyweight champions, making for a 50-50 fight in West Africa on the eve of Christmas.

It was a close first round that Richards just about edged using his rangy jab, but a hard left to the body levelled matters for Azeez, before ‘Spider’ again got his lead left going to re-establish control in the third.

A straight right hand from the 35-year-old stunned Azeez at the end of the fourth, but the Lewisham warrior battled back well, landing with the heavier blows as the contest reached halfway.

Richards was well into his rhythm by this point, banking several rounds during the middle, and Azeez was noticeably breathing heavily, forced to absorb several power punches in the eighth.

"Spider" was gradually beginning to pull away with his superior workrate and technical skills, taking round after round. When it came to the final stanza, it was clear that the trailing Azeez needed a knockout to stand any chance of winning.

However, it was Richards that would find the equaliser when he landed a flush left hook that totally poleaxed Azeez and the contest was rightfully waved off by the referee.

The stunning stoppage victory keeps Richards' world title dreams alive, as he plans to take one last run at world honours.

Undercard

The other 12-rounder on the card saw Theo Allotey take the vacant WBO Global super-flyweight title with a hard-fought points win against Jayr Raquinel (18-3-1, 14 KOs).

Scores of 119-109, 118-111, and 116-112 ensured Allotey (13-0, 10 KOs) went home with the belt.

Ibrahima Diallo claimed the vacant IBF International super-welterweight title in the sole 10-rounder, taking a decision win against Sampson Segbedzi (10-1, 7 KOs).

Two scores of 99-90 and a third at 98-91 saw Diallo (13-0-2, 2 KOs) crowned the champion.

Light heavyweight prospect, Jonathan Tetteh (11-0, 10 KOs) took a points win against Freezy Macbones (11-1, 10 KOs).

Sedem Ama (5-0, 2 KOs) was a second-round winner in her clash with Chiamaka Nwaturuocha (3-1, 3 KOs).

The only six-rounder came at welterweight, where Nishant Dev (5-0, 3 KOs) stopped Ally Mbukwa (8-6, 2 KOs) in the fourth-round of their meeting.

And in the only four-rounder, Leo Atang (3-0, 3 KOs) needed less than 90 seconds to stop Babu Yusuf (3-1, 1 KO) at heavyweight.