Brooklyn‘s Hitchins Claims IBF Junior Welterweight Title
Richardson Hitchins authoritatively staked his claim as the lone champion from the historic boxing hub of Brooklyn, claiming the IBF junior welterweight title with a split-decision victory over Liam Paro on Saturday night. The bout took place in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
While one judge favored Paro with a scorecard of 117-111, the remaining two judges saw it for Hitchins (19-0, 7 KOs), awarding him scores of 116-111 each. This victory marked a significant moment for the undefeated Hitchins, coming in the wake of a controversial decision win against Gustavo Lemos in April, where the scoring drew criticism.
beated the unscored
“I guess it’s what they call a full-circle moment,” Hitchins remarked. “How ironic is that? Everyone thought my last fight’s scoring was crazy.”
Hitchins, 27, found his stride in the fifth round, unleashing his precision jabs and superior footwork to dominate Paro. From there, the tactical battle clearly shifted in the American’s favor. The CompuBox stats reflected this shift; Hitchins landed 105 punches compared to Paro’s 84. ‘His accuracy was nearly 30% compared to Paro’s 17.4.”
Paro, the reigning IBF champion entering the fight after a stunning upset decision over Subriel Matias in June, also in Puerto Rico, struggled against Hitchins’ refined technique. The Australian fighter entered the fight ranked fourth by ESPN at 140 pounds.
Hitchins opted to remain focused on the immediate future. His sights are set on the next title defense and a bigger fight:
“I want Teofimo [Lopez] in New York,” Hitchins declared. “That’s a massive fight for 2025; that’s the kind fight I belong in.
Overall, the fight showcased Hitchins’ boxing intelligence and tactical prowess. His victory cemented his status as a rising star in the 140-pound division and a champion to watch.
What are Alex Reed’s thoughts on Richardson Hitchins’ performance against Liam Paro?
## Brooklyn’s Homegrown Champ: An Interview with Alex Reed
**Host:** Welcome back to the show, folks. As many of you know, young Richardson Hitchins made history this past weekend, securing the IBF Junior Welterweight title in a hard-fought battle against Liam Paro. Joining us today to discuss this exciting victory and what it means for Brooklyn boxing is Alex Reed, [Alex Reed Credentials]. Welcome to the show!
**Alex Reed:** Thanks for having me! It was a thrilling fight, and I’m truly excited for Richardson.
**Host:** You’ve been following Richardson’s career closely. What stood out to you about his performance against Paro?
**Alex Reed:** Richardson boxed brilliantly. He outlanded Paro, despite throwing fewer punches overall [[[1](https://www.boxingscene.com/richardson-hitchins-edges-liam-paro-ibf-title-sets-sights-on-teofimo-lopez–200593)]]. The CompuBox stats show the impressive accuracy and efficiency he displayed throughout the fight. Paro is a tough opponent, but Richardson’s jab was particularly effective, frustrating Paro and setting up his power shots.
**Host:** It’s a major accomplishment for Richardson to become a world champion. What does this victory mean for Brooklyn boxing?
**Alex Reed:** This is huge for Brooklyn. We have a long and proud history of producing world-class fighters, and Richardson is the latest in a line of legendary Brooklyn boxers. His win adds to the borough’s boxing legacy and inspires young aspiring fighters in the community.
**Host:** What’s next for Richardson Hitchins?
**Alex Reed:** He mentioned wanting to unify the division and potentially face Teofimo Lopez down the line [[[1](https://www.boxingscene.com/richardson-hitchins-edges-liam-paro-ibf-title-sets-sights-on-teofimo-lopez–200593)]]. Those are exciting prospects, and I have no doubt that Richardson will continue to make waves in the junior welterweight division.
**Host:** Well, we can’t wait to see what the future holds for Richardson Hitchins. Thank you so much for joining us today, Alex Reed, and sharing your insights on this historic victory.
**Alex Reed:** My pleasure. It’s an exciting time for Brooklyn boxing!
