The words of trainer Lenny Wilson lit a fire under Richardson Hitchins after a frustrating fourth round. By the fifth, Hitchins turned the tide, stepping up his aggression and showcasing the skill that would crown him Brooklyn’s newest titleholder.
Hitchins captured the IBF junior welterweight title with a strange split-decision win over previous titleholder Australia’s Liam Paro in the main event at Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on a DAZN telecast.
The scores were 117-111 (Paro), 116-112 (Hitchins), and 116-112 (Hitchins). The wide card for Paro left many scratching their heads, as Hitchins appeared to control the second half of the bout.
“I guess it's what they call a full-circle moment,” Hitchins said, referencing the controversial scorecard. “How ironic is that? Everyone thought my last fight's scoring was crazy. So how ironic is that?"
Hitchins, 27, wasted no time declaring his next move. “I want Teofimo [Lopez] in New York,” he said. “That’s a massive fight for 2025. I don’t belong in the ring with anyone but the best.”
The fight began cautiously, with Paro pushing the action in the opening round while Hitchins relied on his jab and counters. Paro, 28, constantly fidgeted, staying in motion and looking for openings, while Hitchins remained composed. The second round saw Hitchins find his range, landing precise right hands, though Paro’s pressure kept the fight competitive.
By the third, Hitchins began to assert himself, using his jab to control distance and frustrate Paro. However, Paro managed to close the gap late in the round, keeping the fight close. In the fourth, Paro’s relentless forward movement seemed to unsettle Hitchins, who relied on clean counterpunching but struggled to match Paro’s volume.
The momentum shifted in the fifth, following a stern lecture from Wilson. Hitchins landed a sharp right hand that visibly bothered Paro, marking a turning point. From there, Hitchins began to dictate the action, his right hand becoming a decisive weapon as he controlled the pace of the fight.
Hitchins’ boxing IQ shone in the middle rounds, using distance and timing to nullify Paro’s pressure. The eighth round saw Hitchins landing the cleanest shots of the fight, including a crisp right hand to the body. Paro’s aggression continued, but his punches lacked the precision to sway the fight or close the distance.
As the championship rounds approached, Hitchins stayed in control, rarely allowing Paro to land anything meaningful. By the 11th, the outcome seemed clear, with Hitchins showcasing his best work—accurate straight punches and fluid movement. Paro’s swelling right eye told the story of a fighter who couldn’t solve the puzzle in front of him.
In the 12th, Paro pressed forward in desperation, but Hitchins remained composed, landing the sharper punches and coasting to what seemed an obvious victory.
Hitchins improves to 19-0 (7 KOs), capturing the title in his first championship bout. Paro falls to 25-1 (15 KOs), suffering his first career loss. Hitchins now eyes Teofimo Lopez, setting the stage for what could be one of 2025’s marquee fights.