Radivoje Kalajdzic turned Craig Richards' much‑anticipated return to London into a nightmarish spectacle that will be remembered for its intensity and decisive finish. Richards, who had not fought in his native city since 2024, entered the arena with the clear objective of re‑establishing himself as a contender for the world title. Instead, he found himself outmatched by the Serbian powerhouse known as "Hot Rod" Kalajdzic, who secured a unanimous decision after delivering a crushing knockdown in the final seconds of the bout. The fight unfolded over ten grueling rounds, each filled with moments that swung the momentum back and forth.
In the sixth round, Richards appeared to have the upper hand, landing a series of crisp body hooks and powerful head crosses that left Kalajdzic visibly shaken. For a brief instant, it seemed the hometown hero might turn the tide.
However, the Serbian fighter responded with steely resolve, digging deep and launching a fierce counter‑offensive that re‑asserted his dominance. As the contest entered its closing stages, Richards attempted to seize control once more. He pressed forward, using the ropes to generate leverage and delivering a flurry of well‑timed body shots and sharp jabs that seemed to dictate the rhythm of the round.
Yet Kalajdzic, ever the opportunist, slipped inside the distance and unleashed a rapid combination that landed cleanly on Richards' head. The decisive moment arrived in the final seconds when Kalajdzic unleashed a thunderous right hand that sent Richards sprawling onto his side. The veteran boxer managed to rise, but his legs trembled and his balance was clearly compromised. The bell rang just in time to prevent a possible knockout, and the judges rendered a unanimous verdict of 97‑92 in favor of Kalajdzic.
Beyond the headline bout, the event featured several other noteworthy performances. Lee Cutler, whose nickname "Chaos" belies his methodical style, demonstrated superior ringcraft against the heavy‑handed Louis Greene. Greene started the fight with a tentative approach before landing a solid punch that momentarily staggered Cutler. Undeterred, Cutler recovered quickly, delivering a crisp right hand to open the fourth round and establishing a rhythm of one‑two combos that kept Greene on the defensive.
While Greene attempted to land single, powerful shots, Cutler's footwork and combination punching proved too much, culminating in a unanimous decision victory with scores of 98‑92 and 97‑93 twice. In the women's division, Kayla Allen made a statement as the first female fighter signed by Zuffa Boxing, easily dispatching Hungarian veteran Edina Kiss. Allen showcased superior movement, keeping her gloves high and her footwork light.
A clean cross in the opening round snapped Kiss back, and Allen followed with a powerful right that connected flush with the Hungarian's chin, followed by a hard left that forced Kiss into the ropes. The referee began a count as Kiss stumbled, and after a relentless third round of straight one‑two punches, Kiss retired on her stool at the end of the round, granting Allen a decisive victory. Alex MacMillan continued his streak of spectacular finishes in his second consecutive bout.
From the opening bell, he pressed the unbeaten prospect Guillaume Azagier, cutting off the ring and feinting to the body before delivering a crushing right that sent Azagier crashing to the canvas in the first round. MacMillan did not relent; he followed up with a series of relentless attacks that forced a second knockdown before the end of the round. In the second round, Azagier was again on the canvas, and as his corner threw in the towel, MacMillan secured a third knockdown, sealing a dramatic stoppage. Mexican Olympian Rogelio Romero maintained his perfect knockout record, extending it to seven professional wins with a stoppage over Moldovan puncher Aurel Ignat.
Romero, a southpaw, utilized his signature left hook to batter Ignat, who attempted to rally in the third round after Romero briefly lost his mouthpiece. Romero responded with a ferocious right hook that left Ignat wobbling, prompting the referee to intervene and stop the contest while Ignat remained on his feet.
In a debut that showcased the depth of British talent, West Ham national amateur champion Fred Pullen stepped into the professional arena against Italy's Leonardo Faretina. Pullen, a southpaw, opened the second round with a precise lead right that dropped Faretina. Though the Italian rose quickly and displayed resilience, Pullen's accuracy and ring generalship earned him a clear 40‑35 decision over four rounds. The co‑main event featured a clash of unbeaten prospects: American Alexis De La Cerda versus Ireland's Cain Lewis.
De La Cerda applied relentless pressure throughout the bout, and by the sixth round, Lewis was visibly cut and bleeding. The Irish fighter dug deep, rallying in the final round and forcing De La Cerda onto the back foot. Nevertheless, De La Cerda's consistent performance earned him a unanimous decision, with judges scoring the fight 80‑72, 79‑73, and 79‑74.
Finally, Cesar Mateo Tapia started strong against Leo Ruiz but could not sustain his early momentum. Ruiz adjusted his strategy, taking control of the ten‑round encounter and ultimately winning a unanimous decision with scores of 97‑93 and 96‑94 twice. Overall, the evening delivered a blend of high‑octane action, technical mastery, and dramatic turnarounds, underscoring the unpredictable nature of the sport and the rising talent across multiple weight classes.