Richardson Hitchins is the new IBF super lightweight champion. (Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports)
Richardson Hitchins dethroned IBF super lightweight champion Liam Paro by split decision Saturday night on neutral ground at the Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
After falling behind on the scorecards in the first four rounds, the IBF mandatory challenger Hitchins (19-0, 7 KOs) — urged through the encouragement of his vocal corner — began to get more active with his offense and found a continuous home for his straight right hand on Paro’s chin.
Hitchins took control of the fight in the middle frames and built a big lead heading into the championship rounds. Paro (25-1, 18 KOs) rallied late and tightened up the contest, but it wasn’t enough to leave the ring with his world title.
Two judges scored the fight 116-112 for Hitchins, the same as Uncrowned. One official, Nelson Vazquez, turned in a very controversial scorecard by awarding Paro the fight by six points, 117-111.
Hitchins, in his post-fight interview, called for a WBO/IBF unification bout with Teofimo Lopez. Both fighters are from Brooklyn, New York, where the fight would be a major attraction.
The new champion told his promoter, Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn, in a media scrum that he wanted a New York homecoming next, regardless of whether Lopez was in the opposite corner.
In the chief support, Henry Lebron (20-0, 10 KOs) decisioned Christopher Diaz (29-5, 19 KOs) in an all-Puerto Rican super featherweight clash. It was Lebron’s first fight in more than a year after parting ways with Bob Arum’s Top Rank.
Lebron outboxed Diaz comfortably in the first half of the bout, but as he slowed, Diaz came on strong late. Lebron’s cleaner work and better activity saw him granted a convincing victory.
Yankiel Rivera, a 2020 Olympian for Puerto Rico, produced the only knockout of the night. Rivera (7-0, 3 KOs) stopped Angel Gomez (14-1, 7 KOs) to retain two trinket belts and win the WBC silver flyweight championship.
Richardson Hitchins becomes the IBF super lightweight world champion with a split decision win (111-117, 116-112, 116-112) over Australia’s Liam Paro.
A tremendous performance from the undefeated American, who surely proves himself as one of the best in the division.
Paro vs. Hitchins – Round 12
Paro connects with a couple of southpaw backhands to the body, with a right hook in between them. It’s good work from the Aussie but it’s a little too late, and it’s not going to be enough for him to retain his world championship on my card.
10-9 Paro. Final score: 116-112 Hitchins
Paro vs. Hitchins – Round 11
Paro is desperately trying to force the action, but he can’t cut off a tremendous mover in Hitchins. Paro’s lack of combinations is hurting him as well. The 1-punch game is Hitchins’ game, and Paro was never going to beat him at that. More right hands from Hitchins land on Paro, the same every round. It’s not very exciting, but it’s effective for Hitchins.
10-9 Hitchins, 107-102 Hitchins
Paro vs. Hitchins – Round 10
Hitchins’ gameplan is simple but it is effective, straight right hand after straight right hand. Paro is warned for punching behind the head by the referee, Hitchins called the Aussie a dirty fighter in the build-up. Paro needs a big finish to keep his title.
10-9 Hitchins, 97-93 Hitchins
Paro vs. Hitchins – Round 9
Paro is being met with a hard jab every time he attempts to get into punching range. Sharp stuff from the American, who is navigating the ring brilliantly. Hitchins caught the Australian with a right hand as Paro was moving backwards, which amplified the impact of it.
10-9 Hitchins, 87-84 Hitchins
Paro vs. Hitchins – Round 8
Hitchins can’t miss with the straight right hand. Paro needs to be able to adjust and get out of the way of that shot. The challenger is controlling the fight at range, Paro has to get closer and make it uncomfortable on the inside.
10-9 Hitchins, 77-75 Hitchins
Paro vs. Hitchins – Round 7
Best round of the fight for Hitchins, who has the momentum in the contest now. People were expecting Hitchins to dominate with the jab if he was going to win this fight. However, Hitchins is actually landing plenty with his backhand, which Paro just can’t get out of the way of. A right hand from Hitchins connected strongly at the end of the 7th.
10-9 Hitchins, 67-66 Hitchins
Paro vs. Hitchins – Round 6
Paro and Hitchins traded backhands at the end of the first minute. Hitchins is finding a home for the left hook now. It’s been a very competitive round, they are both having success with single punches. Hitchins’ best work is coming off his counter right hand, which connected several times in the sixth.
10-9 Hitchins, 57-57
Paro vs. Hitchins – Round 5
Good round for Hitchins. A pair of right hands early in the round connected, and were followed up by a 3-punch combination. Paro, who has nose damage, seems to be struggling with the distance. Hitchins with a good check left hook in the final minute.
10-9 Hitchins, 48-47 Paro
Paro vs. Hitchins – Round 4
Paro and Hitchins mirror each other’s work early in round 4. Hitchins lands a left hook that knocks Paro off balance, Paro responds just seconds later with a right hook that has an identical effect on Hitchins.
Paro finding more success with his straight left hand on Hitchins, even to the body now. Hitchins had one good right hand in there in the final minute. More urgency needed from Hitchins.
10-9 Paro, 39-37 Paro
Paro vs. Hitchins – Round 3
A left hand from Paro early in round 3 breaks Hitchins’ guard. Hitchins is starting to establish his jab now, making it difficult for Paro to close the distance. Paro has more success later in round 3 as a left hand connects. The southpaw right hook from Paro hits the side of Hitchins’ face.
10-9 Paro, 29-28 Paro
Paro vs. Hitchins – Round 2
Hitchins’ opponents have become accustomed to being peppered by the American’s jab, but that’s not the approach tonight. Hitchins is finding a home for his lead right hand on Paro’s chin in round 2. The American is holding the centre of the ring far more than we’ve seen him do in previous contests, he’s not moving as much.
10-9 Hitchins, 19-19
Paro vs. Hitchins – Round 1
Good start for the defending champion Paro. He started the round with a couple of shots to the body, countering underneath Hitchins’ jab. In the final minute, Paro connected with a strong left hand upstairs, which was followed by a 1-2 seconds later.
10-9 Paro
Ring walks complete!
Liam Paro and Richardson Hitchins are now in the ring for their IBF world title fight. The first bell is just seconds away, stay tuned to this live blog to find out about the action as it unfolds.
Richardson Hitchins gloved up and ready to go for world title fight
Liam Paro warming up for first title defense
Richardson Hitchins getting his hands wraped up earlier tonight, the main event is just minutes away!
