Richardson Hitchins has made an indelible mark in the boxing world by dethroning the IBF super lightweight champion, Liam Paro. This thrilling fight took place on Saturday night at the Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Let's delve into the details of this epic battle.
Witness the Rise of Richardson Hitchins as the IBF Champion
Richardson Hitchins' Journey to the Championship
Richardson Hitchins entered the ring with an unwavering determination and a record of 19-0, 7 KOs. He was the IBF mandatory challenger, ready to take on the reigning champion. The fight started with a good start for the defending champion Paro, who connected with a couple of shots to the body, countering underneath Hitchins' jab. However, Hitchins quickly found his rhythm and began to get more active with his offense.In the early rounds, Hitchins focused on landing his lead right hand on Paro's chin. His straight right hand became a continuous home, finding its mark with precision. As the fight progressed, Hitchins took control of the middle frames and built a significant lead. He was able to navigate the ring brilliantly, meeting Paro's attempts to close the distance with a hard jab.The Intense Championship Rounds
In the championship rounds, Paro rallied late and tightened up the contest. He desperately tried to force the action and cut off Hitchins' movement. However, Hitchins remained composed and continued to land his punches with accuracy. Two judges scored the fight 116-112 for Hitchins, while one official, Nelson Vazquez, awarded Paro the fight by six points, 117-111. This controversial scorecard added to the excitement of the fight.After the fight, Hitchins called for a WBO/IBF unification bout with Teofimo Lopez. Both fighters are from Brooklyn, New York, and a fight between them would be a major attraction. Hitchins expressed his desire for a New York homecoming next, regardless of whether Lopez was in the opposite corner.Other Notable Fights on the Card
In the chief support, Henry Lebron decisioned Christopher Diaz in an all-Puerto Rican super featherweight clash. Lebron outboxed Diaz comfortably in the first half of the bout but faced a strong comeback from Diaz late. Lebron's cleaner work and better activity saw him granted a convincing victory.Yankiel Rivera produced the only knockout of the night, stopping Angel Gomez to retain two trinket belts and win the WBC silver flyweight championship. Hearn said post-fight that Rivera could fight again in Puerto Rico in March, with Edgar Berlanga expected to headline that show.The main card also featured several other exciting fights, including William Ortiz defeating Lionell Taz Colon Santana via unanimous decision, Jose Roman beating Jalil Hackett via split decision, Juan Zayas defeating Geraldo Valdez via unanimous decision, and Stephanie Pineiro defeating Kalindra Faria via unanimous decision.In conclusion, Richardson Hitchins' victory over Liam Paro was a momentous occasion in the boxing world. His performance showcased his skills and determination, making him one of the best in the division. The fight was filled with excitement, controversy, and memorable moments that will be remembered for a long time.
