Ruthless’ Revenge?

Rumour reaches Darts World’s ears that former ADC European belt holder James ‘Ruthless’ Richardson is determined to have his revenge after losing his title to Kevin Painter in Bristol last month.

Richardson was widely acknowledged as an excellent champion, both in activity and in ambassadorial terms, and was distraught to have lost out in a tense tussle with ‘The Artist’.

Ruthless was an inaugural champion having captured the European belt at the launch event back in 2020. He overcame, former World Master, John O ‘Shea with a strong performance and a 9-5 win. He went on to defend it against Rob Thornton, after a thrilling encounter (9-7), in the Senior World Champion’s backyard.

Winning the belt had meant a lot to James, and his keenness to recapture it is understandable. Indeed he commented, in a Darts World interview at the time, that it was the first title of its type he had won.

The former PDC tour card holder was one of the few players to benefit from the positive side of Lockdowns, having performed very well in remote and in-person ‘Live Leagues’ then capturing his first title (via the belt system). Ruthless seemed to grow in confidence from that point onward.

James’s second defence, part of the reason for his popularity is that he has been an active champion, saw him run aground against. the former World Finalist and Players Championship Finals winner, Kevin Painter.

The Artist edged the game 10-8 after a titanic tungsten battle. The 55-year-old became the new European Champion at the second Undisputed Series of 2022 held by the Amateur Darts Circuit in Bristol, his solid and experienced performance included three maximums over the course of the match.

The ADC system involves sealed bids for title challenges, similar to boxing’s purse bids, if there are multiple bids that meet the minimum title threshold then the champion, and their team, select accordingly. We hear a little whisper that a rematch bid may have been submitted.

Darts World expects an imminent announcement early as today with venues, details, and undercards being finalised in the coming weeks. Perhaps the new ‘doubles’ concept will make its debut?

Based on the teams involved we suspect a very good night with a gripping contest will be in the offing. Could Ruthless gain his revenge at Undisputed III?

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Image: PDC