“Albert Ramirez holds the interim world title, but Lerrone Richards has the notoriety and reputation of being one of the most shunned boxers in England,” said Camille Estephan, president of Eye of the Tiger. “Both have a lot to gain and a lot to lose, but we are confident that with a win, Albert Ramirez’s name will be in all discussions for big fights with Bivol, Beterbiev or Benavidez.”
The fight, set for June 4 at the Casino de Montreal, was originally scheduled for February before Ramirez was forced out less than 24 hours early due to a medical issue. The Venezuelan returns with his interim WBA title intact and a chance to move himself closer to the division’s top names.
Ramirez won the belt in August 2025, stopping Jerome Papellone in the seventh round, and remains undefeated as he steps back into a title defense that now has broader implications than the opponent before him.
Richards, a former super middleweight world titleholder, steps up as the WBA’s #9 contender after several months out of action following the initial cancellation. He has a reputation as one of the most shunned technicians in British boxing.
The 33-year-old Richardsons has already proven he can tear down world-class opposition, with wins over Carlos Gongora and Giovanni De Carolis. For Richards, the jump to light heavyweight is a calculated move to capture the interim belt and force his way into a mandatory position for the full WBA title.
“I’m delighted to be fighting at world level again,” said Richards. “The cancellation of the fight was unfortunate, but I’m glad it was rescheduled and I’m looking forward to the encounter. The goal is to become interim champion and put myself in position to become a WBA world champion at 175 pounds.”
A win for Ramirez is positioned as the next step towards the top of the division, where Dmitri Bivol, Artur Beterbiev and David Benavidez remain the central figures.
Ramirez-Richards represents a crossroads for both men. For Richards, it’s a chance to regain world-class status in a second weight class. For Ramirez, it’s about proving that he belongs in the same breath as the division’s top fighters. With the WBA landscape constantly changing, the winner on June 4 will likely find themselves at the front of the line for a career-defining payday against the sport’s biggest names.
