Richardson Hitchins, who now is promoted by Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing is ready for his New York homecoming as looks to defend his IBF North American Super-Lightweight title against John Bauza at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York on Saturday night, live worldwide on DAZN.
This will be Hitchins first fight in New York City since fighting in Brooklyn in May 2019, prior to the pandemic.
This week Eddie Hearn went and visited the neighborhood Hitchins grew up in, and spoke at the gym Hitchins first trained at. It is safe to say Hitchins has never felt better about his future both in-and-out of the ring than in the present moment right now.
“It’s been a while since I’ve boxed in my city,” said Hitchins. “It’s a homecoming I’ve craved for some time. That is enough to get you up for it. It’s going to be a special night and it’s the perfect venue and platform to showcase my skills and make a wider statement to the division."
Hitchins, who used to be signed to Mayweather Promotions has made it clear that from 2016 until 2022, he didn’t feel he fought enough. Since fighting in Brooklyn, Hitchins had fought five times, and lot of those off-television prior to coming to Matchroom Boxing with only 15 pro fights.
“We’re making up for lost time and put myself into a position where I need to be. I should be in a better place by now but it’s God's plan,” continued Hitchins “It’s one of the most competitive divisions in boxing. There’s a lot of punchers in the 140 division, Regis Prograis gets people out of there and I think that’s a realistic matchup for later this year or next. I believe I belong with the top-level guys in the division and I’m ready to show that this year.”
Hitchins fights this weekend on the card headlined by Amanda Serrano vs. Erika Cruz.