Lewis Richardson made a confident start to his professional boxing career, appearing smooth and controlled in his debut under the Queensberry Promotions banner.
This marked the 28-year-old`s return to the ring following his competitive and somewhat disputed split decision defeat to Marco Verde at last year`s Paris Olympic Games.
Despite that loss, Richardson earned an Olympic bronze medal, notably becoming the only boxer from the GB Boxing squad to achieve a podium finish in Paris.
His first professional assignment took place this evening on the undercard of the Fabio Wardley vs Justis Huni event at Portman Road, home to Ipswich Town Football Club.
In the opening rounds, Richardson effectively utilized his superior hand speed, setting a high tempo against his Estonian opponent, journeyman Dmitri Protkunas, without seeming to be genuinely tested.
By the fourth round, he showcased a more advanced repertoire of skills, demonstrating nimble footwork and movement that proved challenging for his more limited opponent.
This pattern continued through the subsequent rounds. The tall southpaw faced minimal difficulty as he secured a clear 60-54 victory on points after the scheduled six rounds.
Richardson understands that significantly tougher examinations await him in the professional ranks, but his debut performance offered promising glimpses of his inherent talent.
Furthermore, with the bout held close to his hometown, the Colchester native also provided strong early signs of his potential as a popular ticket seller.
Overall, there is plenty to anticipate regarding Richardson`s future in professional boxing. While he began his career at 160 pounds (middleweight), he may look to compete at the super-welterweight division in the future.
