By Chris Williamson

In a long-mooted crossroads match, an impressive Craig ‘Spider’ Richards (14-1) won the WBA Continental title at light-heavyweight with a surprisingly dominant three round stoppage over Jake Ball (now 12-2) in the chief support at London’s O2.

Richards emerged with credit from his only previous defeat on points against Frank Buglioni in 2017 and now looks a much improved fighter in the best form of his career.

After a cagey start to the opening round, Richards exploded with a terrifically timed straight right-hand which floored Ball with about fifteen seconds left in the round.

Richards continued his dominance in the second, landing two more meaty right hands before sickening Ball with the same punch aimed at his midsection, flooring the Surrey man once again towards the end of the session.

Steve Gray stopped the fight in the third round after Richards again hurt Ball with several shots, flooring him with the right again before following up and having the Surrey man staggering worryingly around the ring.

The southpaw former amateur star Ball is now trained by Dominic Ingle and revisits the drawing board as he did after his only previous defeat against JJ McDonagh just over two years ago.

Promoter Eddie Hearn talked excitedly about Richards’ future, with a possible match with Hosea Burton and the raft of domestic contenders being mooted.

Unbeaten 24-year-old Ipswich heavyweight Fabio Wardley scored his sixth straight win with a straightforward but brutal first round KO of horribly overmatched Frenchman Morgan Dessaux.

A right uppercut floored Dessaux while also opening a nasty cut on his nose. The Dillian Whyte managed Wardley looks once to watch and stated his intention to one day headline at the O2.