Last night truly was a bustling time for the world of boxing as multiple shows unfolded across the globe. In Puerto Rico, Richardson Hitcheis from Brooklyn emerged victorious, claiming Liam Paro's IBF 140-pound title through a 12-round split decision. The scores read 116-112 and 116-112 in favor of Hitcheis, while the third judge astonishingly had Australia's Paro winning with a 117-111 tally.

Boxing's Night of Surprises and Controversy

Richardson Hitcheis: The New Champion

Hitcheis now stands at an impressive 19-0(7), having demonstrated exceptional skill and determination in the ring. His journey to the title was marked by intense battles and strategic maneuvers. In this particular fight against Paro, he showed remarkable composure and the ability to adapt to his opponent's tactics. His jab became a crucial weapon in the second half of the bout, allowing him to keep Paro at bay and land effective punches.In the early rounds, Paro got off to a strong start, seemingly taking control with his aggressive approach. However, Hitcheis, urged on by his corner, began to find his rhythm and started to turn the tide. He demonstrated excellent ring awareness and the ability to time his punches precisely. By the middle rounds, he was in full command, dictating the pace of the fight and landing significant blows.

Liam Paro: The Challenger's Journey

Paro entered the fight as a formidable challenger, having amassed a record of 25-1(15). His southpaw stance gave him an advantage in some aspects of the fight, and he showed great tenacity in the opening rounds. He managed to land some powerful shots and seemed to have the upper hand initially. However, as the fight progressed, Hitcheis' superior ring intelligence and punching power began to take its toll.Paro was frustrated by his inability to impose himself on the fight and found himself outlanded by Hitcheis. Despite his best efforts, he was unable to turn the tide in his favor and ultimately had to accept defeat. His performance in this fight will no doubt serve as a learning experience for him as he continues to strive for greater success in the boxing world.

The Controversial Scorecards

The reading of the scorecards after the fight became the main talking point. Nelson Vazquez was widely criticized for handing in a 117-111 card in favor of Paro. This scorecard was met with disbelief and outrage from commentators and fans alike. DAZN commentator Corey Erdman described it as "an unfathomable scorecard," while co-commentator and former champ Sergio Mora called for Vazquez to be fined for his poor judgment.Writer Francisco A. Salazar posted, "Nelson Vazquez was the judge who submitted the 117-111 scorecard for Paro. That is one of the most egregious scorecards ever submitted." Shakur Stevenson also expressed his disappointment, writing, "Bro, whoever scored 117-111 Paro need to never score a boxing match ever again! That was the wildest scorecard I ever seen in my life!"While the right man won in the end, the incident highlights the ongoing issue of controversial scorecards in boxing. Over the years, we have seen too many crazy, disturbing, and controversial scorecards that seem to defy logic. It seems that this problem will never completely go away, and it remains a sore spot for the sport.Perhaps Vazquez' 117-111 score for Paro will join the ranks of the Hall of Shame alongside the disgraceful 114-114 card that judge C.J. Ross handed in at the end of the Floyd Mayweather-Canelo Alvarez fight. Such incidents serve as a reminder that there is still work to be done to ensure the fairness and integrity of boxing matches.