IBF light welterweight champion Liam Paro says challenger Richardson Hitchins doesn’t like to be involved fast battlesand that’s what he intends to bring to him on December 7 in 18 days in their headliner on DAZN at the Coliseo Roberto Clemente, San Juan.
Hitchins (18-0, 6 KOs) did not fare well in his last fight against the 5’5″ Gustavo Lemos, whom he defeated by an unpopular 12-round unanimous decision on April 6 in Las Vegas.
It was a fight where he took a lot of hard shots on Lemos, who has power, and he overpowered him throughout the fight. The Nevada judges gave Eddie Hearn-promoted Hitchins a big break by giving him the decision, but it was a hollow victory. He was exposed.
Hitchins vs. Lemos Punch Statistics
Oranges: 161 of 696 for 23.1% accuracy
Hitchins: 172 of 548 shots for 31.4%
Paro will apply pressure on Hitchins like Lemos did, but probably with more emphasis on the power play. Brooklyn, New York native Hitchin, 27, falls apart when hit hard and starts running.
We saw this in his fights against Lemos and Jose Zepeda. The crowd booed Hitchins loudly for unwillingness to engage or stand in the pocket.
This is Paro’s first defense of his IBF 140-lb title, which he won earlier this year against the boogeyman of the division, Subriel Matias, on June 15 in Manati, Puerto Rico.
Southpaw Paro (25-0, 15 KOs) neutralized Matias’ power using movement, hold and rowhouse tactics to win a close 12-round unanimous decision in front of his fans. It still wasn’t easy for Paro (28) as he took some big shots from Matias while standing in the pocket.
If Paro didn’t have a big chin, he might not have made it through because some of the shots he was hit with would have taken out fighters like Devin Haney.
“He doesn’t like a quick fight, and he doesn’t like a dogfight,” Liam Paro said. YSM Sports Media when asked if he watched Richardson Hitchins’ last fight against Gustavo Lemos on April 6. “Anyone who knows Liam Paro knows what I’m talking about.
“We will see on December 7 if that self-belief is there for himself. Liam Paro comes 110%. I’m ready to hear the words ‘And still’.”
Hitchins’ recent victories
Gustavo Lemos
Joseph Zepeda
John Bauza
Yomar Alamo
