IBF light welterweight champion Liam Paro says Richardson Hitchins doesn’t like “fast, fast” fights, and that’s what he plans to make it for him on December 7 in their 12-round clash at the Roberto Clemente Coliseo in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Paro (25-0, 15 KOs) feels that Hitchins (18-0, 7 KOs) is an “insecure” fighter who does not believe in himself. That’s why he makes a lot of noise about his opponents. Paro says he is not bothered by Hitchins’ talk because he recognizes what he is about.
Paro-Hitchins will headline live on DAZN in a Matchroom-promoted show. This will be a fight that could lead to bigger things for Paro. The IBF’s 10-lb rehydration limit could deter fighters like Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia.
“He just likes to talk, as we’ve seen. I just think it’s him hiding his insecurities and disbelief in himself,” said Liam Paro Battle hypetalking about Richardson Hitchins, who gave him a lot of lip service. “We will see on December 7 how arrogant and one-dimensional I am. I just let my fights do the talking, and I’ve always been that way.”
Hitchins always talks a lot about his opponents. So what he does with Paro is not a departure from what he has done in the past. He just likes to walk, and in some ways that’s a good thing because it adds more interest to his fights. He hasn’t fought anyone at a high level yet, but he’s gotten a fair amount of attention by talking a lot.
“No, he doesn’t know me. Let him talk. He can have his own opinion. I don’t really care. I stay in my lane the same way I’ve been going my whole career. We are already exploring the section. We knew he was going to be a potential opponent. He has been high on the rankings for a while.
“I am ready to defend my throne and build my own legacy. He is no Matias,” Paro said of Hitchins. “He doesn’t have Matias’ work rate, and he doesn’t have Matias’ mind. I was blessed to share the ring with him.
“He doesn’t like a quick fight. We’re going to bring the pace to him, and let him know early that he’s in a dogfight. I’m going to take him to deep waters and drown him. If it comes, it comes. I’m not going to look for the knockout, but anyone who’s been in the ring with me knows I hit hard.
“The targets closed in on Hitchins’ head. I am going in there with a dominating performance,” said Paro.
Hitchins is going to try to box Paro because he doesn’t have the power, work rate or ability to fight in the trenches against a fighter like him. We saw Hitchins fight scared in his matches against Gustavo Lemos and Jose Zepeda when he started getting hard by them. He got on his bike and moved around as the crowd booed.