Adam Haniver [00:00:29]:
Lewis Richardson, Colchester boy, born and bred, Essex lad. My first question to you, mate, is so why boxing? Right from the start,

Lewis Richardson [00:00:41]:
The 1v1, the accountability, the fact that you win and that's on you, you get your hand raised, there's no one else sort of, oh, yeah, well, yeah, but you know, you didn't score the winner or you didn't kick the conversion, no skew in there and I love that. And you know, I used to love team sports at school and even now, you know, should I get the opportunity to have a kick around or have, you know, do team sports, I equally enjoy that. But I think from a competitive point of view, I just love that one on one factor. And even the other individual sports like tennis, you know, obviously Wimbledon's on at the moment and I think there's a lot of transferable skills because there's no hiding place, of course, in the boxing ring and you know, it's down to you to put the work in beforehand to then get the result as a consequence. And I feel like boxing's one of the, well, the most honest sport in the world and if you don't put the work in, then the chances are at some stage you will get found out. And for me, for my attitude, my mindset of non-negotiables of working hard and applying yourself, I think boxing's a good fit for that.

Adam Haniver [00:02:00]:
I like the word honest. Why do you use the word honest?

Lewis Richardson [00:02:04]:
You know, nature of the beast in boxing, you have to be honest with yourself because when you get in the ring it can be a very humbling experience. So I feel like cutting out the noise, whether that be good or bad noise, but you know, just listen to yourself, listen to your team and putting the work in and putting the work is not just working hard all the time. It's a holistic approach of eating the right foods, getting the right recovery, being around the right personnel, and I know we'll touch upon it later, but transitioning to professionals, you know, getting the right team around you is very, very important. And yeah, you just, you need to stay. Of course we hear humble a lot, but honest is another term.

Adam Haniver [00:02:59]:
And not lying to yourself. One of, right, you're going to hate this name or love this name. Probably hate it. One of my favourites, if honest, is Khyzhniak. I love Khyzhniak. And you know, for people who know you as an amateur, they know your journey through the injuries and the upsets and things like that. But Oleksandr Khyzhniak seems to be like one of the, the main reasons for the biggest hurdle in your career. You know, when you were trying to qualify for Tokyo and you had the hardest bastard of a draw ever in getting Khyzhniak. So when you drew Khyzhniak, what was kind of going through your mind as we were on the road to Tokyo?

Lewis Richardson [00:03:41]:
To be honest, those few months, which was, you know, I won the Olympic test event in October 2019 and that was my sort of breakthrough moment for GB boxing. Got moved on to podium squad, went to Kazakhstan, the training camp, it was like six middleweights at the time and all six of us went out, went out to Kazakhstan for then selection for the Olympic qualifier. Sammy Lee got the nod, who was an established 81kg fighter and was believed to be making the drop down 75 and I got the reserve spot and I think that's testament to I think the coach. You can see that I'm the sort of athlete that I would always stay on it. You know, I'll be disciplined and I'll do the right thing. So should the opportunity arise, then I'll be ready. And you know, the opportunity did come and I won my first bout in the qualifiers and then the tournament got postponed due to, due to Covid. And I believe I had around 15 months to prepare for Khyzhniak, which I always say, you know, has the ability to make or break a person, but I just see it as a challenge and I love a challenge. Of course, you know, 15 months later I got in the ring with him and it didn't go my way. But I'm proud of the way I applied myself throughout those 15 months. I got fitter, I got stronger, I got better. You know, I tried and at the end of the day, you know, all you can do is try. And of course, it wasn't enough, but I'm okay about that. It was tough. And I think what made it tougher was due to COVID and, you know, the whirlwind of the couple years that the whole. The whole world had. I only got one chance to qualify. You know, every other Olympics, there's three chances to qualify. But just the way it felt, it was that only chance. And, you know, at the time, I felt like I was good enough, and I still believe I was good enough to be in the top 20 middleweights in the world, you know, be at the Olympic Games. But in hindsight, was I ready to medal? Probably not. And would Paris have happened? Very unlikely, because I would have, you know, went to the Games in Tokyo, maybe meddled, maybe not. And then I would have very likely transitioned to pro. I certainly wouldn't have ever considered dropping down in 71, because I would have already achieved, you know, what I'd achieved. You know, in hindsight. Well, at the time, it was difficult, but in hindsight, you understand why.

Adam Haniver [00:06:31]:
So I'm thinking you've lost to Khyzhniak. That's your only chance because of COVID etc. And it looks bleak. You know, it looks bleak. But it's really interesting you said the word hindsight. Looking back now, you know, potentially, that Khyzhniak loss, you wouldn't be where you are now, you know, potentially.

Lewis Richardson [00:06:52]:
Yeah.

Adam Haniver [00:06:52]:
You know, as a bronze medalist in the Olympics. You know, it's interesting how this goes, but the fact that you stayed the course, I think is. Is giving you those kind of rewards or those opportunities now.

Lewis Richardson [00:07:05]:
Yeah. And it's not even. I mean, the result plays a big part. The fact that I didn't beat him and go on to qualify, but it's more about. I think, what. What would have supported me to get to Paris is just the approach. You know, I tried, and I really applied myself, and that experience gains, you know, the mental strength. When I had people, basically, it felt like people had considered me being lamb to the slaughter, so to speak, but I didn't have that mindset. I went there. I went there, you know, thinking I was gonna go do the job and. And done everything I could. I believe, you know, to. To do that. But we all know Khyzhniak, and we all know what. What sort of beast he is.

Adam Haniver [00:07:50]:
So Tell me about this and mate, Perez, the gentleman called Perez that you're boxing, right? That's the one that sends you to Paris. I just, I just can't get my head round when you beat that guy. What bloody merry go round must be going in your head go, I'm an Olympian. Talk to me about that, mate.

Lewis Richardson [00:08:14]:
Yeah, like silver goo. Like I've got goosebumps, you just saying that. But yeah, it was just so many emotions. I was so emotional, you know, I'm sure, I'm sure you watched and I just couldn't stop crying for hours, to be honest. It was just crazy. The most, you know, the proudest of moments for me, you know, to be able to call yourself an Olympian. And Fraser Clark posted last month because it was, I think three years, four years, the day he qualified and he was like, you know, nothing whatever. Well, not nothing whatever top this moment, but it was a very, very special moment. And I feel like for any person, any boxer who really has to go through it, to go and achieve it means a hell of a lot. It was just the most special day of my life, for sure, up to date today.

Adam Haniver [00:09:15]:
Can I make a little comparison? What was better? Was it better qualifying for the Olympics or the moment, you know, you knew you were in the medal position? What was better?

Lewis Richardson [00:09:30]:
Qualifying for the Games.

Adam Haniver [00:09:32]:
Because I reckon if you, if you ask that to the layman, I think they would probably thought, I wonder, Lewis will probably say when we meddled, but I was thinking to myself, I bet it's not. I bet it's actually when he qualified for Olympics.

Lewis Richardson [00:09:44]:
Yeah, yeah.

Adam Haniver [00:09:45]:
What. Why is, why is that the case?

Lewis Richardson [00:09:48]:
I just feel like the adversity I had to come through to qualify for the Games, the challenges, the setbacks and, you know, it was just so hard to qualify that each. It just felt like it was getting. The percentages, the chances were getting less and less and I just feel like I ripped the script up and created my own one and made it happen. And it makes it, you know, so, so much sweeter knowing that I'd done everything, explored every possible avenue to go out there and go and fulfil a dream. And the dream was to become an Olympian. For me, going to the Games was a celebration. I compare it to university or getting a degree, and it's a case of you study for years and years and years and you have your graduation day and you throw your hat in the air, you get a picture, everyone claps you and you get back off stage, you know, or your Day's done. So the Olympics. So the three, four weeks was in Paris. That was my graduation from the amateur, the amateur game. That was my moment for the whole world to witness who Lewis Richardson was and what he was about. And I'd done it all with a smile on my face because it was my time to pick up my certificate and, and you know, that certificate was an Olympic medal.

Adam Haniver [00:11:18]:
Were you kind of urged to look back at your journey? You know, because I know injury has been a, you know, has been a problem over the years. And then of course there's the whole weight, the weight classifications change and you having to come down the light middle. You know, these are all almost like, it's almost like fate saying, sorry, Lewis, this ain't for you, mate.

Lewis Richardson [00:11:37]:
There have been injuries present, but people and, you know, there's been a few articles to suggest about injuries, but injuries have never prevented me from going to a major. So my injuries have always just been sort of in the back burner or managed them or they've felt, you know, a better time where it hasn't affected majors. It's, it's been the uncontrollables for me. So the governance issues with, you know, well, IBA and just the Olympics all set up with that. But in the weight changes, the uncontrollables, they were my biggest, the biggest factors that I thought, wow, this, this really isn't meant to be. Or there were moments throughout those 2022 and 2023 where I was like, no, this, this isn't meant to be. And you know, I probably did lose faith, you know, at some stage, but for what, you know, for whatever reason, and there were a few contributing factors, but we sort of regained that and I just went, absolutely went for it and made the way and and done the business.

Adam Haniver [00:12:37]:
I think a lot lesser men would have, you know, they would have lost the faith, but continued not to control the controllables, as you say.

Lewis Richardson [00:12:47]:
And that's the thing, like where I had a lack of purpose from a boxing perspective. I still kept myself fit, you know, I still apply myself within education outside of boxing. But also within boxing within fitness, you know, I was still out there running half marathons and out there doing sort of fitness challenges to keep myself fit and healthy. So when the time was right, whenever that was going to be, whether that would be pro, whether that be amateur, it was when the time was right, I was able to, to go and be fit.

Adam Haniver [00:13:20]:
So where does it come from, mate? You know, people talk about nature, nurture and all this sort of stuff, but where does this desire? Because, you know, you're so well respected on this. Just for your persistence, you know, every, all your attainment, your skill, etc. Yes, but your persistence, your desire, you know, when life takes a great big dump right in your shoes, you know, you managed to bounce back. What do you think? Where does that come from in you?

Lewis Richardson [00:13:50]:
I don't know really. I think my brother has a big impact on my life. I think he was a fantastic role model for me. There was a lot of love at home. So Mum and Dad, although separated, always showed us a lot of love and let us sort of spread our wings and do whatever we wanted to do, you know, within reason. But they were always very willing to allow us to, you know, if we say, oh, mum, there's a skydive out there, I'm going to go do it. You know, the financial support wouldn't be there or, or even not necessarily physical support, but that they're sort of the support to be like, yeah, okay, son, be safe, go do it. You know, that, that was there. So we never got stopped doing anything we didn't want to do. So everything I've sort of done in life, you know, a lot of what I've done in life has been through my choice and nothing's forced. And I just try to, just try to sort of just live a fulfilling life with a lot of, a lot of positives and I feel like I've done that. I've interacted with so many thousands of people in my life and I believe more often, very, very more often than not, I leave a positive impact on those lives and likewise I like to receive a positive sort of impact, feeling emotion from the people I interact with. But yeah, I don't know where it comes from. I think there's definitely an inner drive in me to be the best version I can be because, you know, like, so many boxes, I come from pretty humble beginnings with not a lot of success, you know, within the community and within my surroundings. So I wouldn't say I feel like I'm better than that, but I just feel like for whatever reason, I've got something to give and I definitely want to sort of pursue that and reach that to the maximum.

Adam Haniver [00:15:49]:
I think one thing that you said there, you like, your parents give you choice and things like that. I think autonomy, you know, the given the opportunity to make choice and things like that is quite a strong, powerful thing in terms of motivation, self determination, things like that. So I kind of wonder the fact that you, you haven't been micromanaged or, you know, kind of, how do they call it, helicopter parenthood or anything like that. I wonder if maybe that's part of the reasons why you, you've been given the opportunities to make those choices and when you've been tough, you made those choices because you've had practice at making choices as opposed to. Here's a silver platter. Choose this.

Lewis Richardson [00:16:29]:
Yeah.

Adam Haniver [00:16:29]:
See what I mean?

Lewis Richardson [00:16:30]:
Yeah, Just.

Adam Haniver [00:16:30]:
What? I don't know. That's something. But it's the first thing that came to my mind is that choice is a powerful thing in terms of motivation. Let's bring it back to the, the Olympics again, mate. The, the, the Verdi bout, we lose on a 3, 2 split. When you're stood there, what's going through your head, you know, as the announcement's about to be made.

Lewis Richardson [00:16:51]:
I'm thinking, I'm going to be in the Olympic final. I was like, wow, this is, this is crazy. I knew it was close, but I just felt like it was going to happen. I went into the last round, I think up on two, down on one and level on two. So it's just on those final two. And unfortunately they both went against me. And, you know, initially it was tough, but I was just so conscious to not let that sort of negatively impact my Olympic experience because, you know, I was literally living out my childhood dreams. You know, I was living them out. And I think because obviously I'd done so well in the tournament, I only had like 4 days post tournament before the closing ceremony, so there wasn't, there wasn't loads of time. But I was conscious that, you know, I spent, I was very focused in a game, but also spent time around the tournament to go to different events and enjoy my time. But obviously there's only so much that you can do because you're very conscious of preparing best fit for competition. But yeah, the initial feeling was there was disappointment, but I was so conscious to flip that. And Team GB done an absolutely fantastic job of doing that. I had media commitments the next morning, very early, only slept like two hours, and then I had a lot of media duties to do and, you know, I went into Team GB house and it was a massive round of applause and a massive Congratulations rather than commiserations. And not everyone fully gets that, you know, that you have to lose a fight to win a medal. So they might just think, oh, well, you're in a race and you won bronze, you've come third. But obviously, it's a funny dynamic in boxing, but it was a very special feeling and Team GB were actually fantastic with that and that's definitely helped to flip the switch. Had my family out there and everyone was just so happy and proud of. Obviously, the athlete in me, of course, wanted to win and be in an Olympic final and, you know, go and win the Olympic gold. But, you know, the younger me, looking up at that kid, you know, looking up at that man in the ring and, you know, got my tracksuit on, getting my Olympic medal, it's like, wow, that is unbelievable.

Adam Haniver [00:19:28]:
When the bout was on, we stopped our gym. We were training that day seniors, and we stopped it and we wheeled in a TV and we put it up and we just stopped and the whole of our gym watched it. And it was like, suddenly my gym had turned into a pub. It was a bit like that, just minus the booze and the fights. And we stopped and watched it. And we had quite a lot of beginners and novices there, didn't really kind of get what it was all about, but we had lots of boxers who knew you and understood what it was. And it was quite a strange thing. It was quite a strange thing how, like, everybody just was resting all their hopes. Yeah, that. Come on, Lewis, you can do it. And it was like, you know what, we think he's done this, we think, and everyone's going, what'd you reckon? What you reckon everyone's going, I think he's done enough. You know, that old. That old adage, I think he's done enough.

Lewis Richardson [00:20:18]:
Yeah.

Adam Haniver [00:20:18]:
And we're all thinking that and, you know, and it went afterwards, obviously, it went really, really flat. But I just think, I just wonder if you've had that sort of thought around how many pubs, living rooms all around the world just were just loving you and had so much faith in you and, you know, another day it goes your way and you're in the final and maybe a gold medalist, but it's just. Just to think so many people in different walks of life, different places were just there for ou.

Lewis Richardson [00:20:48]:
So many occasions I've been like, nearly man, or, you know, he's good, but he's not quite good enough. And for things like that, but, you know, for that period of time, at the Olympic Games, you know, I was Team GB's only boxer to win a medal, Not GB boxing, but Team GB's only boxer to win a bout. So, you know, I was the man for that moment and it was. And I feel like I embraced that and also, you know, stayed true to myself and my values and I didn't try and force anything or be anyone. I wasn't. And, you know, I received a hell of a lot of love during and post Games just for the way sort of come across, you know, a lot. A lot of people comment in my interviews and saying sort of just how honest and articulate andjust the way, you know, was very, it was very. Just pure. It felt like for them watching. So that, that was, that was know, really nice to hear. And I want to be someone that can be relatable to the masses and, you know, within the uk. I love the Olympics because it's probably the only time the country gets behind their own fully. You know, you have your other sporting events, but it's a bit of a diluted market, whatever sporting event that is, or you have your other moments, your festivals and things like that, but, you know, for whatever reason, and it's an absolute beautiful thing and a blessing for me, but the Olympic Games brings the whole country together and they get behind them, get, you know, get behind their athletes. And yes, it was very special to, you know, to even think about how many thousands and millions of people were watching me and supporting me. And, you know, I remember post Games, going up to Manchester and someone come up to me and I was like, it's just crazy. And it's like in London, you know, people coming up to you and it's like, of course, Colchester is, life's quite different now in Colchester. It's still. Listen, I can still go and have a bit of food in peace, but it's. Yeah, it's very different to what it was and I love it. You know, I'm very grateful for it and, you know, I'll always make time for anyone out there. They're making time for me and, you know, especially the youngsters, when they get excited and things like that, it's just so powerful. But I just want to. I want to show people that, you know, that I'm a real person. You can, you can touch the medal, you can touch me. Like, it's like this could be you sort of thing and whatever. And whatever path of life that you decide to Take it down.

Adam Haniver [00:23:25]:
Fantastic, mate. And then, then eventually we decide to turn pro. So what, what lessons are you taking from the Olympics, from your amateur career that's going to help you in your pro career?

Lewis Richardson [00:23:42]:
What lessons? To enjoy the journey.

Adam Haniver [00:23:48]:
You seem like a very journey based, process based man.

Lewis Richardson [00:23:52]:
Yeah. To enjoy it, yeah. To be present, you know, to be, to be grateful. Just, you know, just be in that moment and apply yourself. It's quite a short window, obviously, being a sportsman and, you know, the years are flying by for me at the moment. I'm 28 and I think, wow. Yeah, I've been, I've been boxing full time for like six, seven years and it's just absolutely flying by. I've had the most amazing memories. You know, my 20s have been absolutely wonderful. I think, wow, like, what a life I've lived. I was speaking about it to my coach today. Yeah. What an amazing life I've lived. And you know, I'm only 28, I'm already 28. So it's just a case of, you know, continuing to sort of keep that process. I think precedence is a massive thing because, like, it was difficult post Olympics because there was just so much going on and I was like trying to journal as much as I could, but it was just like a whirlwind. I was doing some, you know, some, some things that a kid like me, you know, a man like me, you know, I probably shouldn't be doing like some of the events and some of the people I was meeting, but I sort of just you know, absolutely went with the flow. But it was, it was hard to really appreciate everything because it was happening so fast and also it was just one day after the other. But now things have started to slow down ever so slightly, or not necessarily slowed down, but I just found a bit of balance. You know, I've got people within the team to support me, support me with certain aspects and so their lessons I will certainly take. Because my mind was so clear at the Olympics, could really picture so many things and plus I've got a journal that will tell me things that I may have missed. So it's like. And that's actually one thing I'm really proud of. For my debut. I was really present again in my debut and I'm really happy about that because the ring walk for me was special. You know, I was at Portman Road, which was close to Colchester. I'd sold a lot of tickets, I'd done well. Queensbury were very happy with my Ticket sales. But there was far, far more people cheering for me than just the people who bought my tickets. So it was. It was really like another sort of goosebumps moment. The performance that, the ring, you know, I'm used to that. I've been doing that for years and years. But you don't really get that glamorous ringwalk as an amateur. You get big ones. The Olympic Games is big and things like that. But this was at a stadium, so it was, you know, it had the extra touch. And picking your own song and picking your own fight kit was like. I was, I was super present in that moment. And that's what will last, you know, those. That memory from the pro debut will last for me for a long, long time, similar to what the Olympic Games did.

Adam Haniver [00:26:40]:
And are there any sort of adaptions that you need to make from the amateur game to go into the pro? You know, you box six threes, didn't you, on debut, you know, and that. That will go up soon, won't it? So are there any sort of adaptions you have to make with your style or how do you bring your amateur style through and make that still a superpower?

Lewis Richardson [00:27:03]:
How do you define adaptions?

Adam Haniver [00:27:06]:
Well, it's still the same sport, but it's longer. You know, there's, there's six rounds, there's eight rounds, there's 10 rounds, etc. Are there any adaptions or is it just a case of how Lewis boxes? We keep his super strengths and make them even more of a problem for the opponents.

Lewis Richardson [00:27:27]:
Yeah, I think, I think there's a case for, you know, for continuing to work on him. But it's just like for me, people say are you going to change your style. I'm not going to change my style. I'm going to add to my style. Yeah, I'm going to make additional improvements and I'll add to it, but I won't change because it's got me to where I am today. And I think the beauty of, you know, me, that my mindset, my drive, my work ethic is I know I'm going to be fit going into these fights, so I haven't got to worry that if I'm moving a lot or if I'm doing certain movements or this or that, like, I'm not going to tire. And people have always dealt with me for, you know, not being strong enough or not being resilient enough and I don't know where the resilient bits come. Maybe it's from appearance because, you know, I'm not a super massive arms or things like that. But it's like you never, like you do extremely well to break me mentally because of the experiences, like having 15 months to prepare for Khyzhniak, just because of my mindset. I'm very strong willed and you know, you have to be like, Khyzhniak never broke me. He just got on top of me like he does with every other fighter in the world. But mentally I was, I was never broken. You know, I never ever quit. And you'll see that, you see that in tougher fights and longer rounds with me then it's exciting because it will not necessarily be proven people wrong, but it would just be showing another wider audience what I'm about, you know, not necessarily from a physical point of view, but from a mental point of view.

Adam Haniver [00:29:06]:
So technically and tactically we've, we've got it down. And the mental side of the game as well is as everyone knows, he's been involved in boxing, probably the most important side. And you have that in abundance. So it's, it's for me, you're ticking all those boxes, aren't you? You're ticking all those boxes. Especially, you know, when I say mental I don't just mean you've got to be tough to stay in the fight when someone's, you know, when it gets tough. For me, it's also that the long term, getting up and doing the runs, eating the right things, that's the mental side of things as well. The commitment.

Lewis Richardson [00:29:43]:
And it's not easy. I don't, don't get out every morning. I can't wait to do this today. I can't wait. But it's, it's just like it's non-negotiable. You know, you got to do it and, and you can't find excuses and things like that. And, and if you do, you know, they'll rack up and they'll, it become, it will become like a behaviour pattern that you missed a session on a Monday or you missed that session on a Thursday afternoon. It's like you can't listen, there's going to be other cases where you do have to miss a session. But I was a little bit poorly before my debut and luckily it was only like 72 hours, sort of cold. But the following week I had to make those sessions up for my peace of mind to know that, you know, the work, the work's been put in. It's not a case of I don't worry about last week or don't worry about yesterday, it's gone now. It's like, no, you got, you got to make that up. And of course, you know that that comes with finding the right rest and recovery and things like that. But yeah, I believe I've got a good team around me to make sure that I've got a good balance.

Adam Haniver [00:30:44]:
So mate, so who are those kind of professional boxers, either past or present, that you admire or maybe hope to emulate in your pro career? Who are those kind of idols?

Lewis Richardson [00:30:54]:
I'd say Joe Calzaghe is definitely one. Luke Campbell also, I say, you know, potentially not emulate, but I look up to him from, from a professional point of view. I believe, you know, he, he boxed the best. I know he never won a world title, which I have ambitions to do. But I believe, you know he only fell short to the elite. So yeah, I would say past. Well, Luke's obviously passed as well now, but certainly people like Joe Calzaghe, it's just south course really for me. And then in more recent years that you like the Lomachenko's and, and Usyks, you know, their movement patterns are beautiful and my style isn't necessarily like, like Lomachenkos, but you can just, it's beautiful to see the angles and, and again, just how we break fighters down. And it's not just breaking them down from being a big hitter, it'sthe pressure is the IQ and I think that's really impressive.

Adam Haniver [00:31:58]:
But interestingly, thinking about all those boxes, it's almost like, you know, they're incredible, the southpaws, etc, but it's almost like I don't actually see them in you and how you box. Your style is very much different to how they box. Maybe Campbell, a little bit in, in parts. But  your style is quite unique. I don't see all of those parts. So you have your own sort of way of doing things.

Lewis Richardson [00:32:23]:
Yeah, and that's the thing, like I've named a few there, but it's like there's not one definitive boxer I sort of class myself or base myself off of because, you know, I'm my own unique fighter. And so it's like I don't necessarily study them fighters. I just remember watching them thinking, yeah, they're good fighters. I love what they do, you know. I know. Of course I have an extra appreciation for south paws.

Adam Haniver [00:32:50]:
So educated man, got yourself a sneaky little masters in Sports Business Management, Sheffield Hallam. Tell us about your education? So how does that fit with being a GB boxer? I know we're going back slightly but I still think the whole education part is part of, it's who you are and it's part of your mindset I think maybe.

Lewis Richardson [00:33:16]:
So I left school. Not one of the best schools in Colchester to be honest. It was arguably one of the worst. But what I would say is I had a fantastic school, schooling, sort of journey and time. I really enjoyed school, good friends, good teachers, things like that. Went to college, went to sixth form college in Colchester. Didn't really enjoy that to be honest. But I really gritted and got my head down and come out with three A's at A level in, you know, in respectable subjects and then never really done anything with it for five, six years because I wanted to focus on boxing. Was a lot more settled on GB boxing come 2020 and I think it was around COVID to be honest. It was just before COVID had a couple meetings with Sheffield, had them and sort of explained the situation and then. And they, they actually, they. So I applied for the undergrad and they actually said we think you're ready for the Masters. And I was like, result time and money saved for a better qualification. And yeah, went on a one year, one year course over two years. So done it part time and ended up extending due to, I think I had the Europeans and Commonwealth when my dissertation was due. So extended for around six months and come out with a distinction. I think just typically that the attitude and the mindset I've got, I come out with the best grade from the whole cohort of that year, which I'm proud of but also, you know, also not proud but I didn't fully enjoy the experience and I think because I was so sort of driven just it wasn't to be the best in the class, it's to be the best that I could be. But that level of intensity just took away enjoyment of the studying for me, I think. And yeah, I feel like that's a lesson learned for me because the intensity and the ethics I have in for boxing, they aren't normal to the average normal man or the normal person or normal job. So it's like you don't necessarily need to give 100% to absolutely everything. So, you know, I've Learned that my 80% is pretty solid as well and that will do me fairly well in life and then it leaves you a little bit of wiggle room to, you know, to have a bit of time off or to just find that better balance. Of course, you know, there's certain bits around boxing, there's no 80%, there's 100% only but outside of that in life I sort of find a better balance now.

Adam Haniver [00:36:05]:
So, pro boxing is a business, right? You've still got to go there and do the business but you know, as a whole it's a business. So how do you feel like having a sports business management master's degree? Is that, have you already seen things within what you've learned in university? I think this is actually going to help manage my career, you know, more from the business point of view.

Lewis Richardson [00:36:27]:
Yeah, I would say so. I mean for now I've got a team of support around me and which I'm very happy with but it's definitely a, you know, a greater awareness going into these meetings or reading these contracts or looking at the accounts or things like that that you think okay, yeah, I see this already and I've seen, you know, maybe what not to do or what's advised to do. So yeah, there's definitely, there's definitely little perks seen already but I think boxing is a very unique, unique business. It's not like your normal contract or your normal sort of, I don't know, deal or negotiation. It's yeah, quite a, quite a unique sector.

Adam Haniver [00:37:12]:
But it must give you confidence as well going in there knowing that you're not just some 18 year old kid who's just come out winning the ABAs or something like that, you know, what you're looking out for.

Lewis Richardson [00:37:21]:
And it's such a shame like I, I, I wouldn't necessarily say I want to go into boxing management in the future but I mean, oh it's, yeah, it's a shame because some of these kids just, we don't know what they're getting themselves into.

Adam Haniver [00:37:36]:
True. So what actually what do you think fans will see in you that sets you apart then from other up and coming pros? What makes Lewis Richardson different?

Lewis Richardson [00:37:48]:
He smiles more than the average boxer, he talks better than the average boxer and you know, I just feel like I'm quite personable. I want to be relatable again as I said earlier, you know, I want to be able to appeal to the masses, especially within the UK. I want to, I mean I'd love to be a household name but I just want to be able to be someone that, who's approachable in the street for example and be like oh yeah, he's a nice guy. Not even a nice guy necessary but he's someone, you know who, who's got time for, for the people. So it's almost like the people's champ I guess. And then inside the ring, you know, you said it yourself already, I'm quite unique in the ring. So you know, if, if you're a boxing fan, if you're a genuine boxing fan, you'd appreciate my skill level, you'd appreciate my grittiness, my toughness, my mindset. They're all things that I believe I have, I have an abundance and you know, you, you'll see that.

Adam Haniver [00:38:57]:
When I watch you, I always appreciate your range management.

Lewis Richardson [00:39:02]:
Yeah, thank you.

Adam Haniver [00:39:03]:
I always, I always enjoy how you're able just to take a little step, whether it be backwards, sideways and just make people miss and then ping them. That always, that always. Because I remember when you boxed Liam Forest as an amateur who I used to work with for DiSE and it was very comfortable win for you. And I just remember thinking that small little adjustments, is that something that you think comes quite naturally or is it always kind of. I'm always working on that. Or is it something I just kind of feel that range.

Lewis Richardson [00:39:32]:
No, I think that comes quite natural to me. Yeah, I think my, my range. Yeah management comes, yeah, comes fairly natural to honest of course like you got the levels, you need to work on it more for sure. But I feel like that's something I've been gifted with and it's not, that's like, that's just with sport in general I feel like I can read the situation quite well. I can make those adjustments like I can position, I want to play football like I can position myself to make myself in favourable positions to win the ball or to not give the ball away. Basketball and rugby, so I used to play that at school but I wasn't necessarily great at those. But I could read the game well and I could put myself in positions where I could make a good impact and transfer that over to boxing. I can see things fairly well I believe and then I can make those adjustments and that's why I think pro will suit me as well because the amateurs was sprint and sometimes my first round wasn't necessarily my best round and I would drop the first sometimes and then I'd have to win the second and third and top level it's hard to do that. It's really hard to change the judges minds and attitudes to get you in the second and third race. I'd love that little bit more time as a pro, to figure them out and make those adjustments should I need to.

Adam Haniver [00:40:52]:
Sounds like it might suit your personality a little bit as well. You've got more time to figure out those puzzles as opposed to just being over in a blur. Just a couple more questions for you, mate. So what do you consider to be a good coach? I mean, obviously you've been under lots of different coaches, you know, Simon and all the coaches in GB, etc. What do you consider as that's good coaching?

Lewis Richardson [00:41:19]:
Well, that's good coaching. I'll answer. What makes you a coach? I think someone who cares for you, makes you a good coach. Someone who's got genuinely got your best interests at heart rather than, well, it could be so many different factors but rather than trying to boost their profile or, you know, as a professional, you know, trying to make some money off of you. Someone who's genuinely got the time and wants to be involved, someone has that passion, shares that passion, but also that care for you. Because you know what I was saying earlier about I will never quit and I have the mindset of that if my coach felt like this wasn't going right. You need someone who genuinely cares for you to step in and say let's make him, let's give him enough opportunity to fight another day, so to speak. So I think that's what makes a good coach. I think coaching just being adaptable to the boxer because obviously amateur or pro, you're getting a different style. So you having this methodical, one size fits all approach isn't going to work for everyone. And I've had that in the past, you know, where someone just, they're just not accommodating of my sort of needs. And I get, you know, again there's adjustments to be made where it's like you need to add this to your game, but there's a difference between adding to, to changing someone's style and yeah, I believe that's, that's, that's a key quality to make a good coach.

Adam Haniver [00:42:52]:
Absolutely. We often say you've got to be able to connect before you correct.

Lewis Richardson [00:42:58]:
Yeah.

Adam Haniver [00:42:58]:
And it sounds like that in a. That almost summarises that. So do we know when your next bout is yet?

Lewis Richardson [00:43:04]:
We do. When just coming out this interview.

Adam Haniver [00:43:08]:
So today is the 3rd of July, hopefully tomorrow. Tomorrow or the 5th.

Lewis Richardson [00:43:13]:
Maybe too soon to tell you then. Announcement may be made, maybe made tomorrow, but it may not be made until Monday or Tuesday. So, you'll see fairly soon.

Adam Haniver [00:43:27]:
So we can announce that there's an announcement coming shortly.

Lewis Richardson [00:43:30]:
Yeah, yeah, absolutely. Yeah. So I'm in camp. I'm preparing for my my second profile.

Adam Haniver [00:43:36]:
Okay, nice, nice, nice. Happy days. Okay, here's my final question for you, mate. If you could send a message to your future self 10 fights down the line in your professional career, what would that be?

Lewis Richardson [00:43:53]:
Have you enjoyed the journey? Well, I hope you've enjoyed the journey. Have you brought people along the way with you? You know, your loved ones who you want to bring along the way? Have you made some money? I hope so.

Adam Haniver [00:44:12]:
I'm already thinking little caption at the end here, mate. Have you brought people along with you? That's my favourite one. Yeah, you brought people along with you.

Lewis Richardson [00:44:20]:
I mean, you know, one of my fondest memories of Paris, and I was actually, I was going for my phone today and I see a video. Oh, and again, massively give me goosebumps of me winning the first bout against the Serbian and my family and my friends just absolutely jumping up and down and it was just like, maybe a little emotional because it's like bringing those people on the journey and especially some of my friends in that and, you know, particularly some of my family, they're not really achieved too much or done too much in life, but, you know, that will be some of their fondest memories they ever have. And I had, I think 50 people come out for that, my quarter final bout, which secured my Olympic medal when it was on a Saturday night, and just think, yeah, wow, it's just magical to bring those memories to people. And you know, again, we had, we'd done that at Portman Road. My fans had a fantastic night out and it's a case of bringing, you know, bringing the people, but also those, those closest to me along the way because I'm having fantastic memories. And I remember saying to one of my sponsors, come out to Paris. I was like, oh, I seen this video. We, I wish I was there. And he was like, no, you don't. Because if you were there, if you were there with us, we wouldn't be here. Because you're the, you're the one who's brung us on this journey. And that was really powerful for me.

Adam Haniver [00:45:38]:
And I think always you got at the end, mate, is memories, haven't you really? When it's all said and done or you got those memories. Lewis, good luck with your next bout. Good luck in your career. Listen, mate, I've always admired you as a boxer, probably even more as a person. And it's great to see you doing so well, mate. And yeah, good luck to you in the future, mate. So thanks for coming on the Box Gathering. Really appreciate it.

Lewis Richardson [00:46:00]:
Thanks a lot. Appreciate it.

Adam Haniver [00:46:02]:
Cheers mate.