Liam Paro vs Richardson Hitchins December 7th, 2024
Unbeaten IBF Junior Welterweight Champion Liam Paro of Australia defends his newly-won title for the first time this Saturday, December 7th when he takes on undefeated Richardson Hitchins of Brooklyn, New York. The 12-rounder from Puerto Rico, can be seen live on DAZN in most nations. Paro won the belt in June when he upset Subriel Matias via a unanimous decision in Matias’ homeland of Puerto Rico. Matias had won the vacant title in February, 2023 when he stopped Jeremias Ponce of Argentina after the fifth round of a slugfest and then defended it against Shohjahon Ergashev in November by stopping him after the sixth round. Paro earned the shot at the title by halting Montana Love in the sixth round last December to retain the WBO Global Junior Welterweight Belt. Hitchins last saw action in April when he downed Gustavo Lemos by a 12-round unanimous decision in an elimination fight.
Paro vs Hitchins Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Liam Paro -110
- Richardson Hitchins -120
My Pick
The 28-year-old Paro is a southpaw and climbs through the ropes with a perfect mark of 25-0 with 15 Ko’s and has fought 135 rounds since making his pro debut in 2016. He gave up rugby at the age of 13 to take up boxing and also had a pretty good amateur career as he won the Australian Youth National Championships in 2013 in the 140 lb division. Since turning pro he has captured the vacant Australian, the vacant WBO Youth, the vacant WBO Global and the vacant IBF International Super Lightweight Belts.
At just over 5-feet-8-inches tall with a 71-inch reach, he gives up 1.5-inches in height to Hitchins as well as three inches in reach. As far as power is concerned, 60 per cent of Paro’s wins have come by way of stoppage but has gone distance in six of his last 10 fights. He took a step up in class against Montana Love last December when he boxed for just the second time outside of Australia with his previous best wins coming over Brock Jarvis, Jose Aubel, Robert Tlatlik, Faith Keles, James Chereji, Steve Gago and Yomar Alamo.
Hitchins is 27 years old and makes the ring walk with a perfect mark of 18-0 with 7 Ko’s and has boxed 118 rounds since making his pro debut in 2017. Before that he enjoyed a pretty good amateur career as he fought for Haiti at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and was beaten by Gary Antuanne Russell of America. Hitchins was born in New York to Haitian parents but failed to make the American Olympic boxing squad so represented Haiti instead. He stands 5-feet-10-inches tall with a 74-inch reach.
When it comes to power, his current knockout ratio is below average as it clocks in at 38.9 per cent and he’s gone the distance in seven of his last nine outings. He’s got a pretty good chin but has hit the canvas during his pro career. Hitchins first took a big step up in class against Jose Zepeda in September, 2023 and passed it with flying colours with a 12-round unanimous decision to win the vacant WBC Silver and WBO NABO Super Lightweight Titles and defend his IBF North American Belt. He also has wins over Tre’Sean Wiggins, Kevin Johnson, Argenis Mendez and Yomar Alamo and beat John Bauza in February, 2023 for the vacant WBC USA Super Lightweight Crown.
Prediction…
Paro pulled off a minor upset over Montana Love and then beat Matias in a major upset, and right in Matias’ own backyard. He doesn’t have one-punch knockout power but hits considerably harder than Hitchins. This is a good matchup that will likely go the distance. Paro needs to work his way inside and replicate his performances against Love and Matias while Hitchins needs to try and keep him at bay. I can see this fight going either way but give the edge to Paro as he seems to be peaking at the right time while Hitchins could still be a fight or two away from capturing a world title.
Paro’s confidence is sky high and has greater power.
Play: Paro -110 @ BetOnline.ag
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Liam Paro betting • Richardson Hitchins betting