Lerrone Richards is already a British, Commonwealth, European & IBO title holder, but he’s not done yet and he believes the continuous support from his fellow Dons can take him far.
Boasting an impressive record of 18-0 (four knockouts), Lerrone has been doing Wimbledon proud for a number of years now and is set for a return to the ring later this month.
His highly-anticipated fight against Steed Woodall will be shown on Wasserman’s show at York Hall on Friday 12 April. The fight will be screened live on Channel 5.
YOU CAN BUY TICKETS TO CHEER LERRONE ON FROM THE RINGSIDE HERE!
Here he discusses the prospect of taking on the top 10, fighting off his frustrations and maintaining the dream of boxing at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.
We haven’t spoken to you in a couple of years and in that time a lot of the top fighters have avoided you. Has it been a tough time for you?
I understand boxing, I understand that people don’t want to take risks. They clearly feel I’m very high risk for their reputations, so they don’t want to face me. I’ve been frustrated at times but I’ve stayed focused and kept my aim on getting in a position for them to fight me.
Is this why you’ve changed weight divisions?
I was originally a super middleweight but I decided to move up a little bit because I wasn’t getting the fights at that level. I wasn’t getting the offers I wanted when I moved up so I decided to move back to the division where I feel most comfortable. I felt like I also had unfinished business at the level too.
If you win you’ll claim the WBO Intercontinental title. What would this mean to you?
It would move my career in the right direction. I’d be moving back into world title contention and building momentum. Doors will open if it happens.
Who would be your ideal opponent?
I want to fight all of the guys in the top 10. I would love to share the ring with Canelo Álvarez, he’d be a great opponent. Jaime Munguía is another name that comes to mind. Let’s see what happens, I want to get the job done on Friday and then see what options there are for me. I’m sure I’ll have a big fight in the near future with one of those top names.
Are you planning to come to a Wimbledon game soon and is it still a dream to fight here?
Every time I go to a game I find the stadium beautiful. I always look at the centre circle and think about how good it would be to have a ring there. The atmosphere at our games is unbelievable. I know I need to bring a big fight to Plough Lane and I will.
What does it mean to you to have Wimbledon supporters come along to watch you fight?
It means a lot. After the games I go to the pub and to the bar upstairs and you see familiar faces. It’s nice – Wimbledon isn’t just a club, it’s family. I really appreciate all the support that our fans have given me.
You are currently the British, Commonwealth, European and IBO super middleweight titleholder. What are your ambitions for the rest of your career?
I just want to be happy. People don’t always appreciate what they have. I’ve had a lot of time to reflect, which has helped me to move forward. It’s important to be grateful but never be satisfied. I believe I can become world champion. That's what I'm working towards.
