Richardson Hitchins is ready to elevate his status in boxing when he challenges Liam Paro on Saturday, Dec. 7, for the IBF super lightweight title. The fight and event in Puerto Rico airs on DAZN.
Paro (25-0) returns to Puerto Rico after beating favorite Subriel Matias in June to win the IBF belt. The Aussie has 15 wins via knockout and looks to further prove he was a steal for Matchroom with a dominant win.
Hitchins (18-0) has seven wins via knockout. The 27-year-old, who also signed with Matchroom, had a statement-making win against Gustavo Daniel Lemos in April. Hitchins has gone from competing on undercards in the Barclays Center to main eventing for world gold.
Hitchins hasn't been brought down since 2019. Paro was brought down in 2021 against a familiar opponent for both in Yomar Alamo. Hitchins looked back at those fights against Alamo to explain the differences between the two; he took Alamo out in round eight, while Paro went the distance with him.
WATCH: Liam Paro vs. Richardson Hitchins, live on DAZN
"Like I said, I've never been down," Hitchins said via Boxing Scene. "Weight-drained Richardson Hitchins has been hit by guys with 12, 13 straight knockouts—I didn't go down. But you? You've been down from a guy I fought too, and I didn't feel any power.
"I saw that fight, man. How did that guy put you down? I want to see where your jaws at. You better be able to take it, because if there's one thing I know, I can take a punch."
Several top prospects and rising contenders look to make an impact on the Liam Paro vs. Richardson Hitchins undercard.
Liam Paro vs. Richardson Hitchins undercard
Here's a breakdown of all the action on the Paro vs. Hitchins card.
Henry Lebron vs. Christopher Diaz
- Division/Weight: Super Featherweight
- Lebron record: 19-0
- Diaz record: 29-4
- Belts at stake: N/A
Henry Lebron faces Christopher Diaz.
Lebron (19-0) won two fights in 2023, including an impressive win against another top prospect, William Foster III. Ranked 13th in the WBA's rankings, a win could give Lebron a massive swing in momentum heading into 2025.
Ranked seventh, Diaz (29-4) has 19 wins via knockout. He failed to capture the WBO featherweight title in 2021 against Emanuel Navarrete. Diaz has since gone 3-1 and is on a three-fight win streak.
Jalil Hackett vs. Jose Roman
- Division/Weight: Welterweight
- Hackett record: 9-0
- Roman record: 13-1
- Belts at stake: N/A
Jalil Hackett competes against Jose Roman.
Hackett (9-0) went 4-0 in 2023 and looks to go 2-0 in 2024. "Major" has seven wins via knockout and is considered one of boxing's top prospects despite just three years in the ring.
MORE: 25 Under 25: Ranking the best boxing prospects and champions in 2024
Roman (13-1) is on a two-fight win streak, competing in his second fight of 2024 after not fighting in 2023.
William Ortiz vs. Lionel Colon
- Division/Weight: Super Lightweight
- Ortiz record: 6-0
- Colon record: 6-0
- Belts at stake: N/A
Further down the card is William Ortiz vs. Lionel Colon.
Ortiz (6-0) looks to go 2-0 in 2024 as the Puerto Rican continues his rise. The 21-year-old has four wins via knockout.
Colon (6-0) made his debut last year and has won five fights in 2024. "Taz" has three wins via knockout.
Yankiel Rivera vs. Angel Gonzalez
- Division/Weight: Flyweight
- Rivera record: 6-0
- Gonzalez record: 14-0
- Belts at stake: N/A
Yankiel Rivera faces Angel Gonzalez.
A 2019 Pan American Games bronze medalist, Rivera (6-0) looks to go 3-0 in 2024. The 27-year-old, born in Bayamon, is competing in Puerto Rico for the first time since 2022.
Gonzalez (14-0) has seven wins via knockout. The 31-year-old beat Josue Morales in his last fight to win the NABF flyweight title.
Marc Castro vs. Agustin Ezequiel Quintana
- Division/Weight: Lightweight
- Castro record: 13-0
- Quintana record: 20-2-1
- Belts at stake: N/A
A two-time gold medalist and a 16-time national champion, Castro (13-0) has eight wins via knockout. The 25-year-old looks to go 3-0 in 2024.
MORE: Conor Benn's most likely opponents for long-awaited UK return in 2025
Quintana (20-2-1) is on a two-fight win streak. "Sugar" has 13 wins via knockout and competes for the first time out of Argentina.
Juan Zayas vs. Geraldo Valdez
- Division/Weight: Bantamweight
- Zayas record: 10-0-1
- Valdez record: 16-2
- Belts at stake: N/A
Finally, Juan Zayas faces Geraldo Valdez.
Zayas (10-0-1) has eight wins via knockout. He has won two straight in 2024, both fights going the distance.
Valdez (16-2) had a six-fight win streak end in his last fight in August. "Rigondiaux" has eleven wins via knockout.
How to watch Liam Paro vs. Richardson Hitchins
- Date: Saturday, December 7
- Time: 9 p.m. ET | 6 p.m. PT | 2 a.m. GMT | 1 p.m. AEDT
- Location: Coliseo Roberto Clemente Walker, San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Live Stream: DAZN
Liam Paro vs. Richardson Hitchins will air live on DAZN.
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