Richardson Hitchins
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nickname | Africa[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | September 26, 1997 Brooklyn, New York, U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | Light welterweight | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Boxing career | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Reach | 74 in (188 cm) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Stance | Orthodox | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Boxing record | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total fights | 20 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Wins | 20 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Win by KO | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Richardson Hitchins (born September 26, 1997) is an American professional boxer, who previosuly held the International Boxing Federation (IBF) light welterweight title from 2024 to 2026.
Hitchins was born and raised in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.[2][3] Brought up by his mother, Jolia Jacques, he spent his summer days assisting her in selling water bottles at a park to help pay bills.[4] A fan of WWE, Hitchins first took an interest in boxing after watching Floyd Mayweather Jr. make an appearance for the wrestling promotion in 2008.[5] He began training at age 12 and credits his childhood gym, Atlas Cops & Kids, for keeping him away from the streets.[6]
Amateur career
As an amateur at the national level, Hitchins won back to back New York Golden Gloves.[7] At the international level, having failed to qualify for the U.S. Olympic team, he decided to represent his parents' country of Haiti instead.[8] Competing at the AIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Baku, Azerbaijan, he took home the silver medal to qualify for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, where he lost in the opening round to Gary Antuanne Russell.[9][10][11]
Professional career
Early career
Hitchins made his professional debut on March 4, 2017, defeating Mario Perez by TKO in the first round.[12] He compiled a record of 14–0 with six wins by way of knockout (KO), defeating former IBF super featherweight champion Argenis Mendez along the way.[13]
In his first pro fight after signing with Matchroom Boxing, Hitchins fought Yomar Álamo for the vacant IBF North American light welterweight title on November 12, 2022.[14] He won the bout after Álamo's corner decided to call an end to the contest at the conclusion of the eighth round.[15][16] On February 4, 2023, Hitchins fought John Bauza with the IBF North American and WBC USA light welterweight titles on the line.[17] Hitchins dominated the fight, knocking Bauza down in the first and fourth rounds en route to a unanimous decision victory, with all three judges scoring the fight 100–88.[18][19]
Looking to add the vacant WBC Silver and NABO light welterweight titles to his collection, Hitchins fought Jose Zepeda on September 23, 2023.[20][21] He controlled the bout from start to finish, winning by unanimous decision. The three judges scored the bout 120–108, 120–108, and 119–109, all in favor of Hitchins.[22][23]
On April 6, 2024 in Las Vegas, Hitchins was scheduled to fight Gustavo Daniel Lemos in the IBF super lightweight title eliminator.[24][25][26] Hitchins, in a very controversial outcome, defeated Lemos via unanimous decision.[27]
IBF Super Lightweight Champion
Hitchins vs. Paro
Hitchins challenged Liam Paro for his IBF super lightweight title on 7 December 2024 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, dethroning the champion by split decision with two ringside judges scoring the fight 116-112 in his favour while the third had it 117-111 for his opponent.[28][29][30]
Hitchins vs. Kambosos Jr.
Hitchins was scheduled to make the first defense of his IBF super lightweight title against George Kambosos Jr. on June 14, 2025, in New York.[31][32][33] Hitchins defeated Kambosos Jr. by eighth-round knockout to retain his title.[34]
Hitchins vs. Duarte
Hitchins was scheduled to make the second defense of his IBF super lightweight title against Oscar Duarte on February 21, 2026, in Las Vegas.[35][36] On February 25, it was announced that the IBF ordered Hitchins to make a defence of his IBF title against mandatory challenger Lindolfo Delgado (24-0, 16 KOs), who was promoted by Top Rank.[37]
Zuffa Boxing
On April 8, 2026, it was announced that Hitchins signed with Zuffa Boxing.[38][39] He later vacated his IBF title, and announced a move to welterweight ahead of his Zuffa debut. Hitchins' said he outgrew 140 pounds, a weight he had fought in since he was 16 years old.[40]
Personal life
Hitchins currently lives and trains in Brooklyn, New York.[41] He has been with longtime trainer Lenny Wilson since he was 15.[42][3] Hitchins is currently signed with Matchroom Boxing.[43] He was previously signed with Mayweather Promotions, founded by Floyd Mayweather Jr., immediately before turning pro.[44][45]
Professional boxing record
| 20 fights | 20 wins | 0 losses |
|---|---|---|
| By knockout | 8 | 0 |
| By decision | 12 | 0 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | Win | 20–0 | George Kambosos Jr | TKO | 8 (12), 2:33 | Jun 14, 2025 | The Theater at Madison Square Garden, New York, New York | Retained IBF light welterweight title |
| 19 | Win | 19–0 | Liam Paro | SD | 12 | Dec 7, 2024 | Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico | Won IBF light welterweight title |
| 18 | Win | 18–0 | Gustavo Daniel Lemos | UD | 12 | Apr 6, 2024 | Fontainebleau Las Vegas, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 17 | Win | 17–0 | Jose Zepeda | UD | 12 | Sep 23, 2023 | Caribe Royale Orlando, Orlando, Florida, U.S. | Retained IBF North American light welterweight title; Won vacant WBC Silver and NABO light welterweight titles |
| 16 | Win | 16–0 | John Bauza | UD | 10 | Feb 4, 2023 | MSG Theater, New York City, New York, U.S. | Retained IBF North American light welterweight title; Won vacant WBC USA light welterweight title |
| 15 | Win | 15–0 | Yomar Álamo | RTD | 8 (10), 3:00 | Nov 12, 2022 | Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. | Won vacant IBF North American light welterweight title |
| 14 | Win | 14–0 | Angel Sarinana Rodriguez | TKO | 4 (10), 1:48 | May 21, 2022 | Gila River Arena, Glendale, Arizona, U.S. | |
| 13 | Win | 13–0 | Malik Hawkins | UD | 10 | Dec 18, 2021 | Minneapolis Armory, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. | |
| 12 | Win | 12–0 | Argenis Mendez | SD | 10 | Dec 12, 2020 | Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, Connecticut, U.S. | |
| 11 | Win | 11–0 | Nicholas DeLomba | UD | 10 | Feb 28, 2020 | Sam's Town Hotel, Sunrise Manor, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 10 | Win | 10–0 | Kevin Johnson | UD | 10 | Nov 1, 2019 | Sam's Town Hotel, Sunrise Manor, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 9 | Win | 9–0 | Alejandro Munera | RTD | 3 (8), 3:00 | May 18, 2019 | Barclays Center, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 8 | Win | 8–0 | David Morales | RTD | 3 (6), 3:00 | Mar 2, 2019 | Barclays Center, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 7 | Win | 7–0 | Tre'Sean Wiggins | UD | 8 | Jan 17, 2019 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Cesar Valenzuela | UD | 6 | Sep 8, 2018 | Barclays Center, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Alexander Charneco | KO | 1 (6), 1:17 | Apr 21, 2018 | Barclays Center, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Charles Stanford | TKO | 2 (6), 2:15 | Mar 3, 2018 | Barclays Center, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Jordan Morales | UD | 4 | Oct 14, 2017 | Barclays Center, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Alexander Picot | UD | 4 | Apr 22, 2017 | Barclays Center, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Mario Alberto Perez Navarro | TKO | 1 (4), 1:33 | Mar 4, 2017 | Barclays Center, New York City, New York, U.S. |
Titles in boxing
Major world titles
- IBF light welterweight champion (140 lbs)
Silver world titles
- WBC Silver light welterweight champion (140 lbs)
