Richardson Hitchins stopped George Kambosos Jr in the eighth round to successfully defend his IBF super-lightweight world title at Madison Square Garden’s Theater in New York.
Dominant Display on Home Soil
The Brooklyn native outclassed Kambosos, a former unified champion at lightweight, with precise counter-punching and brutal body shots. Hitchins steadily broke down the Australian before a left to the body forced the stoppage.
“I’ve been telling the boxing world I was coming and they should have listened,” Hitchins said post-fight.
“He was tough, a true competitor, but I was just the better man tonight.”
Fall from Glory for Kambosos
It was a sobering return to the venue where Kambosos scored the biggest win of his career, defeating Teofimo Lopez in 2021. But against Hitchins, the 31-year-old was unable to compete at this weight or pace, suffering his fourth loss in six fights.
“I really believed in myself, but just didn’t have the timing,” said Kambosos.
“He hit me with a beautiful body shot. I still got up before 10, but the ref’s got to do his job.”
Hitchins Took Risks for the Finish
Hitchins admitted he had to take chances to secure the stoppage.
“I knew I had to go to some unsafe places to get good shots off,” he said.
“He caught me a couple times, but they didn’t hurt me. So I just went for the finish.”
Olympic Champion Cruz Shines on Undercard
On the undercard, Cuban Olympic gold medallist Andy Cruz stopped Hironori Mishiro in five rounds, winning their IBF lightweight title eliminator.
Cruz now targets new IBF champion Raymond Muratalla, who was promoted after Vasiliy Lomachenko’s recent retirement.
Rising Heavyweight Teremoana Scores Quick KO
Australian heavyweight Teremoana Teremoana, a standout from the Paris Olympics, extended his perfect professional record with a first-round stoppage of Aleem Whitfield, his eighth consecutive KO win.