LIAM Paro will defend his IBF super-lightweight title for the first time on December 7 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, against dangerous mandatory challenger Richardson Hitchins. While itโs not quite a return to the crime scene for Paro, the Australian will feel familiar with his surroundings, having travelled to the same island to win the title off Subriel Matias in June.
Next was expected to be a homecoming bout, with George Kambosos and Devin Haneyโs names linked. However, Matchroom is back in Puerto Rico due to a contractual obligation and has brought along Hitchins for the ride. At 18-0, with only seven KOs, Hitchins wonโt hold the same kind of ferocious heat as Matias, but he will provide the champion with a stern test of a different nature.
The 27-year-old New Yorker will be moving, using his hand speed and accuracy to pick off Paro if he is to land the title. In his last outing, Hitchins defeated Argentinaโs Gustavo Lemos by a disputed decision in an eliminator for this 140-pound belt. Richardson now has his shot and the loser is off fighting contender Keyshawn Davis as part of Lemosโ new Top Rank deal.
The champion, Paro, was unhappy with the number of rivals he reckons swerved their chances to face him.
โAll the so-called big guys at 140 pounds lost their tongues so I decided to bring on my mandatory defence early against Hitchins and clear the path for 2025,โ roared the 25-0 (15 KOs) southpaw from Queensland.
โI canโt wait to fight and show again why Iโm the top guy at 140. Iโm coming to shine again in beautiful Puerto Rico.โ
Hitchins also had plenty to say on the December 7 main event: โHats off to Liam Paro. He beat the so-called boogeyman of the division, but I ainโt Subriel Matias. Heโs never been in with a fighter like me before.
“He didnโt want this fight, and itโs for good reason. This is my division. I am the man at 140 and once I get this belt, Iโm bringing it back to New York and everything runs through me.โ