Richardson Hitchins Defends IBF Super Lightweight Title
Richardson Hitchins has successfully defended his IBF super lightweight title, showcasing an impressive performance that moves his record to 20 wins, including 8 knockouts. This victory took place at Madison Square Garden, where he faced off against former world champion George Kambosos Jr., who now falls to a record of 22 wins with 4 losses.
Hitchins delivered a powerful display, particularly with his body-punching, asserting his dominance right from the start. The fight, which saw its fair share of tension in the prior week, ended decisively in the eighth round with a well-placed body strike from Hitchins, a testament to his hard work and discipline honed under the mentorship of Floyd Mayweather. While he’s moved on from Mayweather Promotions, Hitchins attributes part of his success to the lessons learned from his former mentor.
“A few years ago, I watched Teofimo Lopez and George Kambosos Jr. go to war, and I promised myself that when I had my chance, I would seize it. The support of Eddie Hearn and Keith Connelly has been transformative for my career over the past two years.”
During his victory speech, he conveyed an important message to boxing fans:
“I’ve told everyone that I’m the truth, and now it’s time they recognize who Richardson Hitchins is.”
He went on to recount his decision to part ways with Mayweather, describing it as a “toxic relationship” that did not align with his career aspirations.
Eddie Hearn, Hitchins’ current promoter, praised the young champion’s performance and acknowledged Kambosos as a tough competitor. Hearn emphasized that Hitchins’ ability to take charge in the fight was crucial, indicating it was a significant win that positions him for bigger bouts in the future.
Other Highlights from the Night
In another highlight of the night, Olympic gold medalist Andy Cruz improved his professional record to 6-0 with 3 KOs by defeating Hironori Mishiro in an IBF lightweight title eliminator matchup. Cruz’s performance included knocking Mishiro down twice, establishing his potential in the ring and paving the way for a shot at a world title soon. He expressed gratitude toward his supportive fans, emphasizing his determination to achieve his ultimate goal of becoming a world champion.
Additionally, Teremoana Teremoana continued his unchecked ascent in the heavyweight division, achieving his eighth knockout from eight professional fights with a first-round victory over Aleem Whitfield. Other fighters like Zaquin Moses, Nishant Dev, and Adam Maca also secured wins earlier in the event, contributing to an exciting night of boxing at the Theater at Madison Square Garden.
