Craig Richards waited nearly two years to return to the ring and even longer to have his hand raised in victory.

The dual drought came to an end on Saturday, when the former title challenger forced a seventh-round stoppage of a determined Boris Crighton. Richards floored the visiting Scot, and an ensuing rally forced the stoppage at 2:52 of the seventh round of their light heavyweight bout Saturday on DAZN from Indigo at The O2 in London.

Richards had not fought since a hard-fought, unanimous decision defeat to unbeaten contender Joshua Buatsi in May 2022 on this very property. Their WBA light heavyweight title eliminator saw the Londoner fall just short at the top level for the second time in a span of just three fights. He previously dropped a competitive twelve-round, unanimous decision to WBA light heavyweight titlist Dmitry Bivol (21-0, 11KOs) in May 2021.

The former title challenger fought largely behind the jab in early rounds versus Glasgow’s Crighton (12-4, 7KOs), who stood directly in front of the local boxer and occasionally offered a winging right hand.

Richards put together combinations early in round three. Crighton responded to his foe’s increased output and connected with an overhand right. Richards landed a left hook downstairs and continued to target the body in round four. Crighton was forced on the defensive, which allowed Richards to come up top and land with his jab and left hook. Crighton came on late in the round and pushed a left hook and right hand through Richard’s guard.

Richards fought almost exclusively behind the jab in round six. Crighton matched Richards’ punch output and found success with his counter right. Richards dug a left hook to the body but was forced to fend off an overhand right late in the round.

Crighton was able to take advantage of openings provided by Richards, but it was his own defensive lapse that paved the way for the fight’s end.

Richards fended off a right hand to land one of his own on a wide-open Crighton, who caught a subsequent right hand and left hook for the bout’s lone knockdown. Crighton (12-5, 7KOs) beat the count but an ensuing rally by Richards forced Crighton’s corner to literally throw in the towel to end the fight.

Richards advanced to 18-3-1 (11KOs) with the win, his first since October 2021 when he stopped Marek Matyja in the sixth round in the main room at The O2. The bout was also his first under the tutelage of renowned trainer Shane McGuigan.

Richards-Crighton took place on a show as part of Matchroom Boxing’s NXTGEN series. Headlining the card, London’s Liam Dillon (13-0-1, 3KOs) and Watford’s Reece Bellotti (17-5, 14KOs) meet in a twelve-round, British junior featherweight title fight.

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. X (formerly Twitter): @JakeNDaBox