10/03/2024
The fervor of a passionate Puerto Rican fanbase will be on full display in a great night of boxing, as Matchroom Boxing has officially announced that undefeated Australian Liam Paro (25-0, 15 KOs) will defend his IBF Junior Welterweight Championship against mandatory challenger Richardson “Africa” Hitchins (18-0, 7 KOs) on December 7. The championship bout will take place at the historic Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan, headlining an very strong card on DAZN.
Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Paro’s first title defense comes after a stunning upset victory in June when he dethroned Subriel Matias to claim the IBF belt. Paro, a native of Queensland, Australia, displayed exceptional skill and toughness to outbox the favored Matias, earning him the title of world champion. Now, he faces the formidable Hitchins, a 27-year-old Brooklyn native who remains undefeated but enters this fight with a point to prove after a controversial decision win over Gustavo Lemos in April—a bout that many observers believed he lost.
The clash between Paro and Hitchins is expected to be a chess match of contrasting styles. Paro brings a mix of power and ring IQ, while Hitchins, a slick boxer with precise footwork, will look to capitalize on his technical prowess to dethrone the Australian champion.
Photo Credit: Top Rank Boxing
The event will also feature a hotly contested all-Puerto Rican showdown in the co-main event, as Henry Lebron (19-0, KOs) squares off against Christopher “Pitufo” Diaz (29-4, 19 KOs) for the vacant IBF Latino Super Featherweight Championship. Lebron, who will be making his Matchroom debut after spending four years under Top Rank Boxing, is one of the island’s rising stars and will look to impress the hometown crowd. Diaz, a seasoned veteran with a reputation for thrilling fights, will aim to add another title to his resume in front of his fellow Puerto Ricans.
Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Also on the card, undefeated welterweight prospect Jalil “Major” Hackett (9-0, 7 KOs) returns for his second fight under the Matchroom banner. Hackett, who joined Eddie Hearn’s promotion after leaving Mayweather Promotions earlier this year, will face Puerto Rican veteran Jose Roman (13-1, 6 KOs) for the WBA Continental North America Welterweight Championship. Hackett made a solid debut with a unanimous decision victory over Peter Dobson in July and looks to continue his rise in the welterweight division.
In addition to the marquee matchups, the undercard features appearances from rising stars Marc Castro (13-0, 8 KOs), Yankiel Rivera Figueroa (6-0, 2 KOs), and undefeated welterweight Stephanie Piniero (7-0, 2 KOs), all of whom will look to showcase their talent on the international stage.
Also on the card, unbeaten bantamweights go head to head, as Puerto Rico’s Juan Zayas (10-0-1, 8 KOs) takes on Dominican Marcelino Nieves (19-0, 13 KOs) in an eight-round bout. Rounding out the lineup, is another all-Puerto Rican battle, as William Ortiz (6-0, 4 KOs) faces fellow unbeaten prospect Lionell Colon (6-0 3 KOs) in an eight-round junior welterweight .
Full Card:
Liam Paro (25-0, 15 KOs) vs. Richardson Hitchins (18-0, 7 KOs), 12 rounds for Paro’s IBF Junior Welterweight Championship
Henry Lebron (19-0, KOs) vs. Christopher Diaz (29-4, 19 KOs), 10 rounds for the vacant IBF Latino and WBA Continental Latin America Super Featherweight Championships
Jalil Hackett (9-0, 7 KOs) vs. Jose Roman (13-1, 6 KOs), 10 rounds for Hackett’s WBA Continental North America Welterweight Championship
Stephanie Pineiro (7-0, 2 KOs) vs. TBA, welterweight
Yankiel Rivera (6-0, 2 KOs) vs. TBA, flyweight
Marc Castro (13-0, 8 KOs) vs. TBA, super featherweight
Juan Zayas (10-0-1, 8 KOs) vs. Marcelino Nieves (19-0, 13 KOs), 8 rounds, bantamweight
William Ortiz (6-0, 4 KOs) vs. Lionell Colon (6-0, 3 KOs), 8 rounds, junior welterweight
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