Richardson Hitchins Wins IBF Title in Puerto Rico

Richardson Hitchins claimed the IBF junior welterweight title with a split-decision victory over Liam Paro on December 7 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, improving his record to 19-0. The judges' scores were controversial, with one scoring the fight 117-111 for Paro, while the other two favored Hitchins at 116-112. Hitchins adjusted his strategy after the first four rounds, showcasing superior jab and footwork to dominate the later rounds. Paro, who had previously won the title in June, fell to 25-1 following this bout. In the co-feature, Henry Lebron also shone, defeating Christopher Diaz by unanimous decision. Hitchins expressed interest in a future fight against Teofimo Lopez in New York, aiming for a significant matchup in 2025.