Paro vs Hitchins: Road Warrior Looks For Second Win In PR

Mad Max would be proud of his fellow Australian road warrior Liam Paro.

For the past year, Paro’s fights have all been on the road. He defeated Montana Love in a sixth-round knockout in Oakland last December, then traveled to Puerto Rico in June to take on IBF Super Lightweight champion Subriel Matias at home. He proceeded to disarm Matias and win an upset unanimous decision.

Now the champion Paro of Queensland, Australia (25-0, 15 KOs) returns to Puerto Rico, the site of his biggest victory, for his first defense against undefeated Richardson Hitchins of Brooklyn (18-0, 13 KOs) at San Juan’s Coliseo Roberto Clemente.

Paro weighed in Friday at 139.6 pounds. Hitchins, who has struggled at times to make weight, weighed in at 139.8 pounds.

Liam Paro intends another successful night in Puerto Rico against Richardson Hitchins. Photo: Melina Pizano, Matchroom

“Puerto Rico, mucho gracias. Vamos!” said Paro to the fans at the weigh-in. “I love this country. Beautiful people, beautiful country, and I’m blessed to be back.

“The talking’s done. I’m ready to get in there and put on a show for the fans. Look, I see a scared fellow. I said that right from the start. One sleep away from seeing what he’s all about,” said Paro.

Paro and Hitchins engaged in a little pushing and shoving at the final news conference earlier in the week, but both are ready to get down to business.

Although Richardson Hitchins had some rough outings recently, he’s confident about his fight on Saturday. Photo: Melina Pizano, Matchroom

“Another guy ready to compete, that’s what the sport of boxing is all about,” said Hitchins. “I belong at the world level, my talent don’t belong nowhere else. I’m supposed to be fighting the best guys in the world. I earned my spot to the world title. I had to earn my spot, and that’s what I did. I’m going to keep showing the world what got me here.”

Paro vs Hitchins a 50-50 Fight

Liam Paro landed the harder shots against the much-feared Subriel Matias. Photo: Amanda Westcott, Matchroom

Two undefeated fighters looking for the biggest challenges in their careers make it a pick ‘em fight, agreed Matchroom Sport chairman Eddie Hearn.

“The confidence that Liam will take from the Subriel Matias victory, the skills that Richardson Hitchins has, he believes this is his moment. It’s a flip of the coin. It’s anybody’s fight. That’s what we like in boxing. May the best man win. There are huge fights out there for both guys. It’s all or nothing tomorrow night.”

Paro says the trash talk leading up to the fight rolls right off. “Talk doesn’t burn me up because I know what I can do in the ring, and I know what I am about, so I don’t need to tell people what I am about.

“We’ve heard numerous times from people that he’s (Hitchins) a quitter, and once a quitter, always a quitter. I’m definitely going to test that and we’ll see if he’s about it,” declared Paro.

Paro says the challenges outside the ring have shaped him into a competitor with true grit and hunger.

“It’s going to be hard to defeat a man like that, and I am blessed to have that, and those hard times in life have shaped me into the man I am today, and that’s who I am, a true warrior and a modern-day gladiator.”

Paro needled Hitchins, referring to him as a “track star,” implying he will run in the ring, but said he’s worked during training on cutting the ring off to make it a long, hard night for the American.

“No disrespect, he’s a good boxer, but he stinks out arenas,” said Paro “None of his fights yet have proved that he is what he says he is. Meet me in the middle of the ring, don’t run, and prove not just to me but to the world that you’ve got it. Keep that energy and give the Puerto Rican people what they deserve: a fight. Don’t run. Don’t stink it out. They don’t deserve it.”

It seemed Gustavo Lemos had done enough to win, but Richardson Hitchins got the decision in April at the BleauLive Theater at Fontainebleau Las Vegas. Photo: Ed Mulholland, Matchroom.

Mandatory challenger Hitchins returned the professional respect but says his skills are superior.

“I respect Liam Paro because he takes the sport as a professional. He comes ready and does everything that he needs to do as a professional, but when it comes to the things as a boxer to be and stay at the world stage. Well, I don’t think that he possesses the tools that I possess.”

“At the end of the day, when it comes to the sweet science, I know how to do it all. I’m at the world stage for a reason. I’ve been showing that I’m at a world stage since the amateurs. I’ve had to fight 20 different styles in seven days in Russia as an Olympian, so I’m used to all kinds of different styles. Whatever he brings to the table, I’ll be able to adjust.”

Hitchins acknowledged the criticism of his performance against Gustavo Lemos in a close decision win in May but said the experience benefitted him, illustrating the need to pay attention to his nutrition to make weight “the right way.”

“This fight, I’m coming in more seasoned and with more experience, I’m doing everything right. For me to win this fight it won’t be through any means necessary, it will be by showing that I am at a world class level,” said Hitchins.

If you believe in a fighter’s momentum, the momentum is all on Paro’s side. His performances against Love and especially against Matias surprised doubters and confidence from these wins will be like rocket fuel for the Australian.

Hitchins might insist he isn’t affected by his poor reviews, which aren’t uncommon for a defensive-minded fighter. (See Stevenson, Shakur). He will fare better if he’s content to win with a disciplined performance. Expect Paro to come for Hitchins and try to force the action. Whether or not he’s successful, judges prefer aggression, even if it’s not particularly effective aggression. We call this fight for Paro in another unanimous decision, teeing up a unification title fight in 2025.

Lebron vs Diaz in Co-Main Event

Henry Lebron takes on veteran Christopher Diaz Saturday. Photo: Melina Pizano, Matchroom

The co-main is a hometown clash between Henry Lebron (19-0, 10 KOs), fighting in Puerto Rico for the first time in five years, against former WBO 130-pound title challenger Christopher Diaz (29-4, 19 KOs). The fight was initially scheduled in July before Lebron withdrew due to injury.

Lebron returns to his homeland for the first time in five years. With a win, Lebron can improve his rankings to see a title fight in 2025. The vacant IBF Latino and WBO NABO titles are at stake for the winner.

The veteran Diaz is currently ranked seventh by the WBA. His losses were all in world or regional title fights against significant opponents. His last loss three years ago was a narrow majority decision against Isaac Dogboe. Diaz is riding a three-fight-stopped streak, and he is hungry to get another shot.

Lebron says he’s more than ready for the fight. Diaz promised a war and said it will come down to which man wants the win more.

Rivera vs Gonzalez In Flyweight Fight

Puerto Rican Olympian Yankiel Rivera will face Angel Gonzalez in front of the hometown fans.
Photo: Melina Pizano, Matchroom

Yankiel “El Doctorcito” Rivera of Puerto Rico (6-0, 2 KOs) faces undefeated veteran Angel “Set It Off” Gonzalez of Florida (14-0, 7 KOs) in the flyweight division. Yankiel, age 27, competed for Puerto Rico in the 2020 Olympics and is currently ranked in the top ten with the WBA and WBC and eleventh by the WBO.

The vacant WBC Silver, WBA Continental Americas and WBO Intercontinental Flyweight titles and a title fight opportunity are on the line. Gonzalez, age 31, would love to be the fly in the flyweight ointment and snatch the victory away from the favored Rivera.

“It’s another big fight, which is great news for the fans,” said Rivera, promising fans would enjoy it. “I have to beat (Gonzalez) to continue with my days of becoming world champion. Unfortunately, someone will be defeated on Saturday, but it won’t be me.”

Gonzalez said, “I’m definitely ready for war on Saturday, and we are both going to give it all to the fans, so let the best man win. It’s going to be me because I put in the work every day and never doubt myself.”

Marc Castro Back In Action

Marc Castro gets in his third fight of 2024 and his fourth in 13 months Saturday against Agustin Ezequiel Quintana. Photo: Melina Pizano, Matchroom

Prospect Marc Castro of Fresno, California (13-0, 8 KOs) takes on Agustin Ezequiel Quintana of Argentina (20-1-2, 13 KOs) over ten rounds in the lightweight division. It will be Castro’s first fight in Puerto Rico. He says he’s happy to get the opportunity to showcase his talents against a solid opponent. “The better the opponent, the better I will look,” said Castro.

Before the Bell Undercard from San Juan

Six fights are featured on the DAZN YouTube channel “Before The Bell” livestream broadcast starting 3:15 p.m. ET/12:15 p.m. PT l

Jalil Hackett of Washington, DC, hopes to make a big impression against Jose Roman. Photo: Melina Pizano, Matchroom

impressive welterweight prospect Jalil “Major” Hackett of Washington DC (9-0, 7 KOs) meets Puerto Rico’s Jose “Cheito” Roman (13-1, 6 KOs) in a ten-round bout.

Hackett won the WBA Continental Americas Welterweight title in his Matchroom debut against Peter Dobson in July. The 22-year-old Hackett said he doesn’t believe in beating around the bush in anything in life and wants to make a statement in every fight.

“This is my job, and if I’m trying to be one of the best, I’m trying to find out early,” said Hackett, who said he’s been called out by current WBO welterweight champion Brian Norman.

“He said I’m on his hit list. Well, guess what? He’s on my hit list, too. I believe I can beat him now, but we have work to do this Saturday first.”

Stephanie Pineiro of Puerto Rico gets exposure on a big stage against Kalindra Faria of Brazil. Photo: Melina Pizano, Matchroom

Puerto Rican southpaw Stephanie Pineiro (7-0, 2 KOs) taking on late replacement Kalindra Faria of Brazil (2-2-1, 14 KOs) in an eight-round women’s welterweight fight.

Juan Zayas and Geraldo Valdez show their respect during the weight
-in Friday. Photo: Melina Pizano, Matchroom

Bantamweights Juan Zayas of Puerto Rico (10-0-1, 8 KOs) and Geraldo Valdez of the Dominican Republic (16-2, 11 KOs) compete in a scheduled eight-round fight.

Puerto Rican fighters William Ortiz (6-0, 4 KOs) and Lionell Omar Colon (6-0, 3 KOs) put their unbeaten records on the line in a scheduled eight-round super lightweight fight.

Edgardo Rolon (9-1, 3 KOs) squares off against Leonardo Baez (21-5, 12 KOs) in a six-round 130-pound contest between Puerto Rican fighters.

Opening the card, Carlos De Leon of San Juan (2-0, 1 KO) and Jose Guevara of Laredo, Texas (2-2-1, 1 KO) will meet in a four-round featherweight fight.