Richardson Hitchins relieved Liam Paro of his IBF super lightweight title with a classy split decision victory (116-112 x2, 111-117) in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
While judge Nelson Vazquez seemingly watched a completely different fight, Hitchins was a deserved winner after a composed and skilful performance.
Paro had started the better of the pair but Hitchins worked into the fight, keeping the Australian at bay with sharp jabs and straight right hands.
“I was just hoping that they didn’t rob me,” Hitchins told DAZN after the bout.
“Once I figured out the timing on the right hand, I started taking over. I knew I was going to get him.
“Tonight, I showed him I’m on a different level.”
After a slow and watchful opening four rounds, Hitchins' corner implored him to get more aggressive and he responded well, timing Paro's entries with shots from the outside.
Hitchins, the rangier of the pair, was able to get the contest largely on his terms through the second half, limiting Paro's ability to close the distance and ensuring it remained a tactical boxing match, rather than a messy fight.
Paro, who was returning to Puerto Rico where he’d upset Subriel Matias to win the title back in June, paid credit to Hitchins for his performance.
“He’s a hell of a fighter, hell of a champion,” Paro said post-fight.
“No excuses, we had a good camp, he was the better man tonight.
“We let him get set in his way and that was it. I’ll be back. It’s not a loss, it’s a lesson.”
The new world champion was quick to table a potential fight with WBO titleholder, and fellow New Yorker, Teofimo Lopez.
“I want Teofimo, in New York, Brooklyn. Unification,” he said.
“I think that would be one of the biggest fights in 2025.”
The win takes Hitchins to 19-0, while Paro tastes defeat for the first time and slips to 25-1.
In the chief support, Henry Lebron scored a close but decisive unanimous decision win over Christopher Diaz.
Fighting mostly on the back foot in front of a determined Diaz, Lebron racked up a nice lead on the cards through the first half of the fight, giving himself enough of a buffer to hold off his fast-finishing opponent.
Earlier, Yankiel Rivera continued his rise up the flyweight rankings with an impressive fourth-round stoppage victory over Angel Gonzalez.
The Puerto Rican dropped the previously undefeated Gonzalez with a hard counter right hook in the third and put him on the canvas two more times in the fourth before the referee had seen enough.
To kick off the main card, Agustin Quintana claimed a hard-fought upset win over Marc Castro following an entertaining 10 rounds at lightweight.
We bring you every result, from the undercard to the main event, at the Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Liam Paro vs Richardson Hitchins full card results
Bouts and order subject to change.
- Richardson Hitchins def. Liam Paro via SD12 (116-112 x2, 111-117) for the IBF super lightweight title
- Henry Lebron def. Christopher Diaz via UD10 (97-93 x2, 96-94)
- Yankiel Rivera def. Angel Gonzalez via TKO4
- Agustin Ezequiel Quintana def. Marc Castro via SD10 (97-93, 94-96, 96-94)
- William Ortiz def. Lionell Omar Colon via UD8 (80-72 x3)
- Jose Roman def. Jalil Hackett via SD10 (96-94 x2, 94-96)
- Juan Zayas def. Geraldo Valdez via UD8 (78-73 x2, 77-74)
- Stephanie Pineiro def. Kalindra Faria via UD8 (80-71 x3)
- Carlos De Leon vs. Jose Guevara; super featherweight (float)
How to watch Liam Paro vs. Richardson Hitchins
- Live Stream: DAZN
Liam Paro vs. Richardson Hitchins will air live on DAZN.
WATCH: Liam Paro vs. Richardson Hitchins, live on DAZN
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