Richardson Hitchins predicts that he’ll “whitewash” Gustavo Lemos this Saturday night in their 12-round light welterweight headliner at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas. The event will be shown live on DAZN in a Matchroom-promoted show.
Hitchins (17-0, 7 KOs) is ranked #2 WBC, #3 IBF and #3 WBO and is going up against one of the biggest punchers of his career in 28-year-old Lemos (29-0, 19 KOs).
Fixing His Style: A Must For Fan Appeal
With this being a main event clash, it’s important that Htchins, 26, not use the same defensive style that he employed in his last contest against Jose Zepeda last September in Orlando, Florida. The 5’10” Hitchins will enjoy a huge height and reach advantage against the 5’5 1/2″ Lemos.
However, Lemos has fought taller fighters throughout his career and should be able to get to Hitchins to land his shots. It may take some chasing for Lemos to do that, but he’ll eventually catch up.
This writer can’t stress this enough. Hitchins has got to be more willing to entertain because he’s so boring to watch, and the fans are going to be heading for the exit if he runs from Lemos as he did in his last fight against Jose Zepeda. Promoter Eddie Hearn has to have regrets about signing Hitchins.
Fans at ringside booed Hitchins for retreating all night and fighting a lot like Shakur Stevenson with his step-back. Although the style worked for Hitchins, it wasn’t entertaining for the fans, who booed him.
Hitchin’s pot-shotting needs to be changed because the fans want to see him use combination punches and are more willing to stay in the pocket and fight. Richardson’s fighting style is too safety-first and too similar to Shakur and Devin Haney for him to become a star.
If Hitchins does capture a world title, his PPV events could bomb like Haney’s if Matchroom chooses to put his fights behind a paywall.
Lemos, #7 IBF, has looked outstanding recently, knocking out Javier Jose Clavero and Lee Selby. It’s a big step up in class for the Argentinian Lemos to be taking on the highly-ranked Hitchins, and it’s questionable whether he’s ready for this much of a jump up in competition.
Facing a Puncher
“I’ve beat former world champions. I’ve beat guys that were big punchers. I beat undefeated guys,” said Richardson Hitchins during today’s press conference for his fight this Saturday night against unbeaten contender Gustavo Lemos on DAZN.
“This is a whole different level. He’s never been punched in his face. I’ve been punched in my s*** hard coming up,” Hitchins continued. “Everyone he fought had terrible records. It’s a difference. When you get in there with me, it’s going to be a different type of game.
“Power is not going to win you this fight. Aggressiveness, trying to go to the body, that’s not going to win you this fight. It’s going to take him having that mind, and that experience and that skill set to go in there to compete with me. I suspect on Saturday night for it to be a whitewash, and for me to show that I’m on a whole different level.
“The only thing that can save him in this fight is his heart and if he can take a punch. I’ve seen him hurt with bums. I’ve never been down in my career, and I’ve never been hurt. We’ll see what happens on Saturday, but I just feel like I’m on a whole different level.
“I’m on a level with Devin Haney, Subriel Matias, Shakur Stevenson, and the top-level guys. I am a cream of a crop type talent,” said Hitchins.
Entertainment-wise, Hitchins is not on Matias’ level. He’s more like Shakur and Haney, minus the holding those fighters do. On Saturday, Hitchins is going to have a lot of eyes on him, and it’s important that he show more courage to trade and not run.
