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Mike Coppinger, ESPN Boxing Insider
Richardson Hitchins captured the IBF junior welterweight title with a split-decision victory over Liam Paro on Saturday night in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
One judge scored the tactical contest for Paro 117-111 but was overruled by scores of 116-111 and 116-111 for Hitchins.
Hitchins (19-0, 7 KOs) is now the sport’s lone champion from the one-time boxing hotbed of Brooklyn.
The 27-year-old turned the tide in Round 5 and cruised down the stretch as he outboxed the Australian with his superior jab and footwork.
Hitchins was coming off a disputed decision victory over Gustavo Lemos in April, and this time found himself on the other side of some questionable scoring from one judge.
“I guess it’s what they call a full-circle moment,” said Hitchins, who entered the bout unranked by ESPN. “How ironic is that? Everyone thought my last fight’s scoring was crazy.”
Paro (25-1, 15 KOs) won the title with an upset decision victory over Subriel Matias in June, also in Puerto Rico. Paro, 28, entered the ring Saturday ranked No. 4 by ESPN at 140 pounds.
“I want Teofimo [Lopez] in New York,” Hitchins said. “That’s a massive fight for 2025. I don’t belong in the ring with anyone but the best.”
Richardson Hitchins captured the IBF junior welterweight title with a split-decision victory over Liam Paro on Saturday night in San Juan, Puerto Rico.