On June 14 (June 15 Japan time), at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York, the main event of a Matchroom Boxing promotion featured an IBF World Super Lightweight Title Match. Undefeated champion Richardson Hitchins (USA) — 19 wins (7 KOs) — faced a challenge from former WBO and IBF Lightweight World Champion and former WBA Super Champion, current IBF No. 3 contender George Kambosos Jr. (Australia), who held a record of 22 wins (10 KOs) and 3 losses.
On December 7 of last year (December 8 Japan time), at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Hitchins captured the title by defeating Liam Paro (Australia) — 25 wins (15 KOs), 1 loss — via unanimous decision over 12 rounds. He now entered his first title defense on home soil.
After suffering an 11th-round TKO loss to Vasiliy Lomachenko (Ukraine) — 18 wins (12 KOs), 3 losses — in an IBF World Lightweight Title bout held in May of last year, George Kambosos Jr. signed a co-promotional agreement with Matchroom Boxing in November. He made a successful comeback on March 22 at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia, defeating Jake Wyllie (Australia) — 16 wins (15 KOs), 2 losses, 1 no contest — by unanimous decision over 12 rounds.
The ring announcer was David Diamante (USA).
In the opening round, Hitchins used a long, snapping jab followed by a quick one-two to halt Kambosos Jr.’s forward movement.
From the opening bell, Hitchins took control of the fight.
Kambosos Jr. tried to find an opening with his jab, but it fell just short.
Hitchins’ right straight landed cleanly on Kambosos Jr.
In the third round, Kambosos Jr. followed his corner’s instructions, using the jab to set up the right hook—the same punch that had knocked down Teofimo Lopez—and came out aggressively.
In the fifth round, after stopping Kambosos Jr.’s movement with a left to the body, Hitchins landed a right straight over Kambosos Jr.’s shoulder and followed up with a flurry to press the attack.
Kambosos Jr. showed visible signs of fatigue.
Having read Kambosos Jr.’s movements, Hitchins wore a confident expression.
Hitchins targeted Kambosos Jr. with pinpoint right hands.
Kambosos Jr. put up a desperate resistance, but Hitchins refused to back down.
Hitchins landed a left hook following his right straight.
In the eighth round, as Hitchins closed the distance, he fired a left uppercut followed by a left to the body.
After taking a downward right hand followed by a devastating left to the body from Hitchins, Kambosos Jr. collapsed to the canvas.
Kambosos Jr. managed to get back to his feet, but the damage was severe, prompting referee Michael Griffin (Canada) to stop the fight. Just like in his bout against Vasiliy Lomachenko (Ukraine), Kambosos Jr. was defeated by body shots.
TKO time: 2 minutes and 33 seconds of the 8th round.
All three judges had Hitchins ahead with a shutout on the scorecards through seven rounds.
Hitchins successfully made his first title defense. After the fight, WBO world champion at the same weight, Teofimo Lopez (USA) — 22 wins (13 KOs), 1 loss — appeared in the ring. Hitchins then declared himself a free agent, expressing his desire for big fights. He verbally attacked Devin Haney and his father, Bill, drawing cheers from the New York crowd.
Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing, who signed Hitchins in 2022 and has invested in him since, expressed his displeasure over Hitchins’ declaration of free agency. However, he refrained from blaming Hitchins directly, saying, “He’s a good kid. It’s not him — it’s the people around him.”
Hearn also revealed that he received a call from Saudi Arabia’s Turki Alalshikh, the key figure behind the “Riyadh Season” events, who confirmed that going forward, any deals involving Richardson Hitchins would be made exclusively through Matchroom. Hearn added that they intend to hold discussions regarding Hitchins’ future.
According to the phone call from Saudi Arabia’s Minister Turki Alalshikh, it was confirmed that future deals would be made exclusively with Matchroom, so Hitchins’ next moves will be something to watch closely. The remark about him being surrounded by the wrong people also feels quite realistic.
Related Article：Hitchins vs. Kambosos Jr. “Result” – IBF World Super Lightweight Title Match
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