Zuffa Boxing has matched two experienced light heavyweights, with Craig Richards facing Radivoje Kalajdzic in a 10-round co-main event on September 26 at the Copper Box Arena in London.
Richards (20-4-1) and Kalajdzic (30-3, 22 KOs) both hold top-10 positions with some of the major sanctioning bodies, though neither is universally ranked across all four. That gives Zuffa a credible fight at 175 pounds without confusing it with a meeting between the division’s elite.
The matchup supports heavyweight Johnny Fisher on Zuffa Boxing 11, which will air on Paramount+ and Sky Sports.
Richards, 36, has won three straight since losing a 12-round decision to Willy Hutchinson in June 2024. He stopped Boris Crighton in seven rounds, knocked out Padraig McCrory in the eighth, and stopped Dan Azeez in the 12th last December.
The Londoner has been tested at a high level throughout his career. He went 12 rounds with Dmitry Bivol in a 2021 WBA title challenge and later lost a close decision to Joshua Buatsi. Richards has also beaten Shakan Pitters and previously held the British light heavyweight title.
Kalajdzic, 35, brings considerable punching power. The Serbian-born fighter has spent his professional career in North America and owns a recent win over former light heavyweight champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk.
Fan reaction to the announcement has been mixed. Some like the fight as an evenly matched pairing that should provide entertainment, while others see it as two second-tier light heavyweights receiving a prominent spot on the card.
At 35 and 36, Kalajdzic and Richards are unlikely to develop into future world champions. They don’t need to be. Zuffa has put together a competitive 10-round co-main between two ranked fighters who are close enough in level to make the result difficult to call.