Matchroom Boxing heads back to Florida as they host a junior welterweight special attraction. Undefeated contender Richardson Hitchins (16-0, 7 KOs) will look to elevate his career further as he faces the battle-tested Jose Zepeda (37-3, 28 KOs). It’s a solid fight that will either show that Hitchins is ready for the next level or if he needs more development.
IS RICHARD HITCHINS READY TO BE A CONTENDER?
YOUR fight week 💎 @HeIsRichardson #HitchinsZepeda headlines live on @DAZNBoxing this Saturday pic.twitter.com/s5JjTH84g4
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) September 19, 2023
Although Eddie Hearn and Matchroom would like to think that Hitchins is ready to be a contender, Hitchins hasn’t had the fight that could solidify that until now. Saturday’s matchup against Zepeda is precisely what he needs to get to that next level. It’s not going to be easy, and Hitchins will be in for a real fight, but if he is everything everyone thinks he is, then he should have no issues getting by Zepeda and lining himself up for a title shot by the end of next year at the earliest.
CAN JOSE ZEPEDA EARN ANOTHER TITLE SHOT?
Sink or swim 😤
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) September 20, 2023
Behind Closed doors with @HeIsRichardson & @ChonZepeda is out now ahead of Saturday's headline fight on @DAZNBoxing 🎬
Full feature 👇 #HitchinsZepeda
Zepeda is a fan-friendly fighter, but the Southern California native is 34 years old and has gone through some hard fights. The one against WBC champ Regius Prograis in November 2022 took a lot out of him, and although he beat Neeraj Goyat in March by unanimous decision, it’s hard to ask Zepeda to handle the 25-year-old Hitchins. If Zepeda has anything left, there may be a moment when an opportunity presents itself for a big shot, but Hitchins will be too fast for him.
RICHARDSON HITCHINS VS. JOSE ZEPEDA PREDICTION
Although Zepeda isn’t an old man, he has been through some brutal fights, and this one will not be any easier. Hitchins will use his youth and solid boxing foundation to earn a unanimous decision victory, making Zepeda a certified gatekeeper moving forward if he wasn’t considered one before.
RICHARDSON HITCHINS VS. JOSE ZEPEDA BETTING ODDS
Per BetOnline.ag, Richardson Hitchins is the favorite at -600 (Over 10 ½ rounds -280), and Jose Zepeda is the underdog at +400 (Under 10 ½ rounds +220).
Richardson Hitchins: TKO/KO +260; Decision -190
Draw: +1800
Jose Zepeda: TKO/KO +750; Decision +850
Round Group Betting
Jose Zepeda by KO/TKO/DQ in
Round 1 to 3 +5000
Jose Zepeda by KO/TKO/DQ in
Round 4 to 6 +2500
Jose Zepeda by KO/TKO/DQ in
Round 7 to 9 +1800
Jose Zepeda by KO/TKO/DQ in
Round 10 to 12 +2000
Richardson Hitchins by KO/TKO/DQ in
Round 1 to 3 +2200
Richardson Hitchins by KO/TKO/DQ in
Round 4 to 6 +1000
Richardson Hitchins by KO/TKO/DQ in
Round 7 to 9 +800
Richardson Hitchins by KO/TKO/DQ in
Round 10 to 12 +900
RICHARDSON HITCHINS VS. JOSE ZEPEDA FIGHT DATE, START TIME
- Date: Saturday, September 23
- Time: 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT
- Main event ringwalks (approx): 11:00 p.m. ET / 8:00 p.m. PT
These timings could change due to the length of the undercard fights.
Subscribe to @MatchroomBoxing YouTube for the official press conference and weigh-in for #HitchinsZepeda fight week 🔔👇
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) September 18, 2023
WHAT CHANNEL/STREAM IS RICHARDSON HITCHINS VS. JOSE ZEPEDA?
- U.S.: DAZN
- UK: DAZN
RICHARDSON HITCHINS VS. JOSE ZEPEDA FIGHT CARD
- Richardson Hitchins vs. Jose Zepeda; super lightweight
- Austin Williams vs. Steve Rolls; middleweight
- Jessica McCaskill vs. Sandy Ryan; WBC, WBA, and WBO women’s welterweight title unification
- Orestes Velazquez vs. Mohamed Soumaoro; super lightweight
- Khalil Coe vs. Kenmon Evans; light heavyweight
- Jeovanny Estella vs. Luis Caraballo; light middleweight
- Jasmine Artega vs. Haley Pasion; women's super flyweight
- Roberto Rivera Gomez vs. Carlos Andre Dos Santos Rocha; featherweight
