Richardson Hitchins left little doubt tonight in a profitable protection of his IBF tremendous light-weight title, stopping a really sport George Kambosos Jr within the eighth spherical to retain his title.
Hitchins (20-0, 8 KO) was extra aggressive than we’ve seen up to now, however labored economically and neatly, too, protecting the combat at a tempo he needed behind his terrific jab, but additionally wading inside a bit extra, and avoiding gradual begins we’ve seen from him in prior bouts.
Kambosos (22-4, 10 KO) gave this an sincere, robust effort, however the class distinction was clear from the primary spherical. Hitchins additionally employed some robust physique work, which finally paid off with the knockdown that ended the combat.
“I’ve been telling the boxing world I’m the reality. For those who don’t know, now you realize. They need to have listened, now I’m right here,” Hitchins mentioned. “I smelled blood (on the physique pictures), and I needed to maintain punishing him. I instructed his dad, ‘For those who love your son, you’ll cease the combat.’ He was powerful, he was a real competitor, however I used to be simply the higher man tonight.”
Hitchins mentioned he was positively making an attempt to make an announcement tonight, and believes he can curb the notion that he’s a “boring” or cautious fighter.
“I knew I needed to go to some unsafe locations to get some good pictures off, I put myself in hurt’s means,” he mentioned. “However I had good protection and knew I may take a punch. He caught me with a pair good pictures however it didn’t actually harm me, so I simply went for the kill. I at all times knew I had it in me, however the fights are really easy on the skin, the place I don’t need to take an opportunity, however now I’m getting extra snug as an expert.”
Put up-fight, Teofimo Lopez, who holds the WBO title, made his means into the ring as Hitchins talked about going into free company in the intervening time and on the lookout for huge fights. Hitchins then explicitly known as out Devin Haney and his father Invoice, along with his insults towards them drawing approval from the New York crowd.
“He’s a hell of a fighter,” Kambosos mentioned. “I chase greatness, man. I actually believed in myself however I simply didn’t have it, he was too good for me tonight. He hit me with a good looking physique shot. I nonetheless bought up, however the ref has to do his job. The boxing world goes to speak slightly however now, however I hope you guys respect the warrior that I’m and I fought the very best. It’s what it’s.”
Kambosos took nothing away from Hitchins in any respect, and added, “If all of the boys combat one another, you’re gonna get wins, losses, attracts, who offers a fuck, man? That is boxing. Battle the very best, fuck the cherries.”
