On The Watch “It’s All About Liam Paro vs Richardson Hitchins”

IBF Junior Welterweight Challenge

Last night’s Matchroom/DAZN Main Event between IBF Junior Welterweight Champion Liam Paro (25-1, 15 Kos) and challenger Richardson Hitchins (19-0, 7 Kos) was a technical matchup that greatly favoured the challenger at Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

I was impressed by Richardson who walked it like he talked it and handled his business inside that squared circle like a “G”. Richardson told anybody that would listen that he was levels above Liam and backed every word of it when the time came to prove it.

It took Richardson a few rounds to figure Liam out but once he did it was a boxing session where Richardson outboxed Liam with ease and conviction that he could not be denied. Richardson’s jab was on point along with his punch selection and accuracy that clearly bothered Liam who had no answer to slow down this determined combatant from having his way with him.

“Game Plan” for “Game plan”, Richardson had the right formula. After 12 full rounds of action the Judges on hand called it 117-111 for Liam, 116-112 and 116-112 for Richardson.

The Judge who had it 117-111 for Liam was out of pocket for that but nevertheless, with this convincing win under his belt Richardson is now the new IBF Junior Welterweight Champion of the World. Well done!

A hyped up and full of confidence Richardson wasted no time in calling out his next future challenger, if possible, in WBO/Ring Magazine Junior Welterweight Champion Teofimo Lopez (20-1, 13 kos).

That’s a unification bout that would be fun to watch but will Teofimo answer the call? Only time will tell.

Until then, congratulations Richardson and enjoy this great well-earned victory.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About Richardson Hitchins vs Gustavo Lemos”

IBF Light Welterweight Title Eliminator

Last night’s Matchroom/DAZN Main Event between undefeated Richardson Hitchins (18-0, 7 kos) and undefeated Gustavo Lemos (29-1, 19 Kos) turned out to be quite interesting from start to finish but the outcome given at the end of the bout at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas, was very disappointing to say the least. Real Talk!

Lemos put his best foot forward on the night and proceeded to rough house Richardson with his come forward heavy hands looking to take his head out at every opportunity. This bout was clearly a boxer-versus-puncher where the boxer Hitchins was dealing with some serious challenges inside that squared circle. The pressure Lemos was coming with was visibly working giving the edge in my eyes round by round.

Richardson had his moments at times but he could have made things a lot easier on himself if only he would have let his hands go a tab more in between rounds. Although he was being very allusive at times, I personally think his lack of activity cost him heavily as the rounds progressed.

Richardson’s constant holding and clinching did not help his case in trying to sway the rounds his way. Lemos was the one initiating the action and visibly hurting Hitchins with punches coming at him from all angles.

What did help Richardson was his accuracy when he did decide to let his hands go but that was just not enough in my eyes to win enough rounds. Although Richardson was the better skilled fighter on the night, he did not execute the right “game plan” to the show the right levels needed to separate himself from his opponent inside that squared circle.

After 12 completed rounds, the Judges at hand called it 117-111, 115-113 and 115-113 unanimously for Richardson Hitchins. Unbelievable. That Judge with that 117-111 was way out of pocket. Real talk!

Listen, although I was rooting for Richardson to win the fight, this one right here wasn’t it. Richardson started to put things together in the later rounds going toe-to-toe but his lack of activity throughout the duration of the bout sealed it for me.

I tip my “B” hat to Lemos who fought a good fight and brought the heat on the night. You have nothing to be ashamed of in my eyes. The Judges may have robbed you of your victory but you definitely gained a fan out of me.

Blaze