Radivoje “Hot Rod” Kalajdzic had already done enough to beat Craig “Spider” Richards on the cards. Then he put Richards on the canvas in the closing seconds, turning a strong performance into a clear statement at London’s Copper Box Arena on September 26.
Kalajdzic (31-3, 22 KOs) won their 10-round light heavyweight co-main event at Zuffa Boxing 11 by unanimous decision. All three judges scored it 97-92. Richards (20-5-1, 13 KOs) beat the count after the late knockdown, and the final bell spared him from having to survive another exchange.
The scorecards were wide, but Richards made Kalajdzic work for them. The Londoner kept pressing and looked for chances to land as Hot Rod threw. Kalajdzic’s faster hands, higher output, and sharp right hand gave him the better of most exchanges. He was willing to meet Richards’ pressure instead of giving away ground for long stretches.
Richards threw everything he had in the 10th. One ringside account noted that he landed a liver shot earlier in the round, but Kalajdzic finished stronger. His late barrage sent Richards down and removed any doubt about who had taken the final round.
This was a meaningful test for Kalajdzic after his dramatic seventh-round comeback knockout of former champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk. Against Gvozdyk, he had to erase a large deficit with one punch. Against Richards, he showed he could build a lead over 10 rounds and still have enough left to hurt a durable opponent at the end.
Richards had won three straight, including a 12th-round knockout of Dan Azeez, and saw this fight as a route back toward a world title opportunity. Both men had talked about that ambition before the bout.
Kalajdzic leaves London with the result to support his case at 175 pounds. Richards gave him a hard fight, but Hot Rod was quicker, busier, and stronger when the finish came into view.
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