The Kid looks ready to become a man.
Kevin ‘The Kid’ Richardson is set for his first serious step up in his promising boxing career when he tackles Mexico’s Mario Valenzuela in Newcastle on Saturday, October 31.
It is a step up in class and a step up in distance with the Houghton and Hartlepool fighter having his first six-round contest.
Richardson, who is coached by Hartlepool legend Neil Fannan and right-hand-man Andrew Close, the head coach at the New Welfare ABC, has won both of his professional appearances to date and won them well.
He defeated one of England’s celebrated journeyman Fonz Alexander on debut and saw off another in Dan Booth at the Rainton Arena in August.
Valenzuela fights for the money too, but there is a degree of jeopardy for the 20-year-old at the Vertu Motors Arena a week on Saturday.
Of course, all pro boxers get paid and the 25-year-old, from one of the most famous fistic nations in the world, is banking plenty of pesos on an 11-bout tour of the UK and Ireland.
But he is not a man to take any liberties with as another young unbeaten prospect, Jamie Bradley, found to his cost in London in September when he was outpointed by Mario over six rounds.
“We wanted someone who will come for a fight,” explained Fannan. “I’m not trying to big the fight up because I expect Kev to be too much for him, but Valenzuela is no mug.
“If you try to put it on him, he’ll have a go, and if you try to stop him, he’ll have more of a go!
“Kev made his first two fights look easy which is testament to him because he’d never boxed as a senior and had not fought for a while.
“He is still a boy really in boxing terms but in his time here I’ve seen him make big advances.
“He’s a nice boxer and don’t want him to rush, so I’m happy that he’ll be boxing over six rounds here.”
It is all part of Boss Boxing’s Halloween show in the Toon dubbed Fright Night, which stars fellow Hartlepool-based boxer Gemma Richardson (no relation) who challenges Canada’s Carolyn Redmond for the vacant WBO International light-welterweight title
“He sparred a lad on the Monday who was five or six unbeaten and it was a proper, proper tear-up,” said the coach.
“He did six rounds again on the Tuesday against a lad from the Spanish amateur team but wasn’t as good as the day before.
“Kev did six rounds on Wednesday with three amateurs doing two rounds each against him and he looked more like his usual self, nice and sharp.
“On the Thursday he was up against a fella called Elvis who was a real handful, but Kev schooled him.
“It was good experience for Kev all in different gyms against a range of boxers. He looks well and we’re looking forward to Newcastle.”
Words: Roy Kelly Pictture: Tom Collins
