THE RESULT: Richardson Hitchins secures a mandatory shot at the IBF super-lightweight title with a controversial unanimous decision win against Gustavo Lemos at the Fontainebleau in Las Vegas.
KEY MOMENTS: If Hitchins thought he was going to win at a canter an overhand right from Lemos in round one reminded him otherwise. From the third frame the jab of Hitchins was key allowing him to let his own hands go. And just as the 26-year-old appeared to have a grip on the fight he was nailed with a wild one-two in the eighth which Lemos followed up with more heavy shots. In the final four rounds Lemos never let up and Hitchins was forced to survive and trade.
RECORDS: Hitchins gets away with protecting his unbeaten record, 18-0 (7 KOs). After his 30th fight Lemos sits at, 29-1 (19 KOs).
TALKING POINT: Tim Cheatham’s 117-111 meaning he awarded three rounds to Lemos. He may have been wild at times, but Lemos connected with the more telling shots throughout the fight.
QUOTABLE: Speaking over a chorus of boos, Hitchins said: “I felt like I won the fight unanimously. It was a close fight. I made it close some rounds, but I gave him right hands and stood there and traded with him. I felt like I was out-boxing him. I felt like I won easy.”
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? Hitchins will now await the winner of Subriel Matias’s second IBF world title defence on June 15 against Liam Paro. Hopefully, Lemos can look forward to some more big fights at 140lbs after solidifying himself as a legitimate contender in the division.