Lerrone Richards won the vacant European super-featherweight in only his 15th professional fight as he boxed his way to a landslide decision over veteran Italian Giovanni De Carolis in Manchester. 

Richards was simply too quick and slick for De Carolis, never really having to take a risk as he outboxed the frustrated Italian. 

He never threatened to get De Carolis out of there either, as he remained happy to pile up the points, with some neat combinations. 

Two judges, Ian John Lewis and Anssi Perajoki, scored it 120-108, while Francisco Alloza Rosa scored it 119-109. 

De Carolis held the WBA regular title for ten months in 2016, bit despite coming into this on a three-fight winning streak, at 36, this was likely to be his last chance at pushing back into world level. 

He found Richards a nightmare of an opponent, as he stayed at distance, keeping a southpaw jab in his face and engaged reverse quickly as soon as De Carolis came forward swinging. 

For the main, the Italian stayed locked behind his defence, edging forward in the hope of getting into range. 

For six rounds, Richards was content to do what he needed. But as De Carolis started to take more chances, Richards began to put more weight into his shots. He stayed in range too, slipping De Carolis’s shots and firing back with interest. 

It took until the tenth round for De Carolis to have any success, as he trapped Richards on the ropes and landed a meaty one-two. Richards worked his way out of trouble, though, and was on top as the bell sounded. 

“I’m happy to fight anyone in the division,” Richards said. “The best is yet to come.”