The IBF super-lightweight world title eliminator bout will be a battle between two unbeaten contenders as Richardson Hitchins (17-0, 7 KOs) will face Argentine boxer Gustavo Lemos (29-0, 19 KOs) on Saturday night April 6th at the BleauLive Theater at Fontainebleau Las Vegas, live worldwide on DAZN.
When you analyze the landscape of the fight game, the 140-pound division consists of boxing stars and a long list of talented contenders. Richardson Hitchins is labeled as one of those talented contenders, but Hitchins believes he’s ready for his status to be elevated from very talented to elite.
A native of Brooklyn, New York, Richardson Hitchins started his pro boxing journey in 2017 as he spent the first five years of his career on the Mayweather Promotions roster. Feeling a change was necessary, Hitchins decided to sign on with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing in September 2022.
Two months later, Hitchins made his Matchroom debut and posted an 8th round TKO victory over Yomar Alamo. In his second fight with his new promotional company, Hitchins outclassed John Bauza as he cruised to a unanimous decision victory.
When Richardson Hitchins sign on to face former three-time world title challenger Jose Zepeda, it was labeled as a step up fight for Hitchins. Going into the bout, Hitchins was categorized as the rising prospect, but during the course of the contest, Hitchins systemically picked Zepeda apart and won the fight by way of unanimous decision.
As he’s currently ranked 3rd by the IBF, Richardson Hitchins is very close to securing his first opportunity to fight for a world title. Standing in his way is the 7th ranked contender who like Hitchins is also undefeated, and working towards earning a shot at a world title.
Gustavo Lemos is a tough aggressive fighter who is ready to take advantage of his massive opportunity. With 29 career victories under his belt, the Argentine boxer’s most notable opponent was the former IBF world featherweight champion Lee Selby.
Back in March 2022, Lee Selby was trying to bounce back from a previous split decision loss to George Kambosos Jr. In the opening round of the Selby vs Lemos bout, Selby was immediately overwhelmed by the intense pressure being applied by his opponent.
Lemos unleashed a vicious attack to Selby’s body in the second and third rounds. He would go on to drop Selby in the 4th round when he landed a hard left to the body. In the fifth round Lemos stopped Selby when he landed another solid shot to the body.
A year later Lemos made a brief appearance inside of the squared circle as he knocked out Javier Clavero in the first round. Now the 28-year-old Gustavo Lemos is on the verge of facing his toughest opponent to date.
On Saturday night April 6th, the Hitchins vs Lemos clash will be the classic boxer vs brawler type of bout.
Richardson Hitchins is a ring technician who has all the tools. He has the ring generalship, excellent footwork, good punch placement, and a high ring IQ.
Gustavo Lemos is a fighter who comes into this bout with an unblemished record, but he’s never faced an opponent the caliber of a Richardson Hitchins. The 26-year-old Hitchins is a highly skilled boxer who knows how to maintain the proper range and distance.
Hitchins sets up his offense and dictates the pace of his fights by utilizing a very sharp jab. If Lemos is unable to find a way to navigate around the Hitchins jab, then this bout may quickly transition into a one-sided affair.
In the fight preview video ‘Unbeaten Quartet,’ Hitchins stated that he doesn’t respect Gustavo Lemos’s record, who he’s fought, or nothing he’s done in boxing. On fight night Hitchins plans on showing Lemos that he is a master boxer, and they’re not in the same league.
Hitchins believes the fight will be a massacre and it won’t go the distance. If Hitchins is successful on Saturday night, he wants a shot at IBF world titleholder Subriel Matias, or any of the other world champions at 140.
The super-lightweight division is arguably the most talented division in boxing. Richardson Hitchins is confident in his skill set and he’s not afraid to state his opinion. Hitchins called Devin Haney a b*tch, and he labeled Regis Prograis as a bum.
Richardson Hitchins feels his career is trending in the right direction, and the best is yet to come. He acknowledges the fact that the 140-pound division is loaded with talent, but on Saturday night April 6th, he plans on making a statement against Lemos and showing the world why he should be recognized as elite.
“This is my division man. This is the Richardson Hitchins division. This is the Richardson Hitchins era.
This is just my time. Them boys got to step out of the way. I’m here, and I’m just knocking at they door.”
