Paro And Hitchins Separated During Final Presser

Liam Paro and Richardson Hitchins held their final pre-fight presser before their junior welterweight clash this weekend.
Paro makes the first defense of his IBF Junior Welterweight Title after beating Subriel Matias this year. Paro defied the odds to prevent the knockout artist from making him another KO victim. The fight also had no rematch clause, allowing Paro all the freedom to pursue other targets. He was in talks with Devin Haney. However, Haney allegedly priced himself out, leaving Hitchins as the opponent. Paro could target George Kambosos Jr. for a huge domestic Australian clash next year, as they are now both with Matchroom Boxing.
Hitchins enters the fight, with not his best. Despite beating Gustavo Lemos via a unanimous decision, it was a lot closer than people thought the fight would be. Some even had Lemos winning. Lemos was then stopped by Keyshawn Davis in the second round, showing the gulf class between the two performances. However, styles make fights as Hitchins is ready to prove his doubters wrong. This is what both fighters had to say.
Paro Vs. Hitchins
“I’m very excited to be back in beautiful Puerto Rico, the country that gave me the opportunity to become champion. To come back here and win more fans this time around is really special. I’m excited, we’ve put in the hard yards in this camp and we’re ready. Look, we know the task ahead of us, you never overlook any opponent and we’re coming in guns blazing ready to put on a show for everyone here Saturday night.
“I’ve said this my whole career, fighters fight. I want to be a busy champion, and when we didn’t get any other bites, we called on our mandatory. We knew that we would have to take care of [Hitchins] sooner or later and felt that sooner is better than later. So, here we are now, two days away from squaring off and I can’t wait to show the world what we already know.
“I’ll give credit where credit is due, Hitchins is mandatory for a reason. He’s worked his way up there, and we know that this isn’t an easy task. We’re at the world level now where every fighter is elite, so we’ve done the right things in the gym. Alfie is the best coach in the world, and now it’s just up to me to execute the plan perfectly on Saturday night,” Paro
Hitchins’ Quotes
“It’s definitely a surreal moment, but it’s not as surprising as when I first signed with Matchroom. When I first signed, I always wondered when my first title fight would be, but now that I’m more seasoned to the sport I’ve been showing that I’ve been fighting at a world title level since signing with Matchroom. I’ve always shown up to fights in shape and have shown that I’m a purist in the sport of boxing and that I am an all-around fighter.
“Now, it’s time for me to show the world that this is the only place that I belong. I don’t feel that my type of boxing will be accepted anywhere else except on the world stage. I belong at this stage right here, sitting next to Eddie Hearn, and fighting the best fighters because that is the talent that I bring to the sport. Come Saturday night, I’ll display it again.
“I respect Liam Paro because he takes the sport as a professional. He comes ready and does everything that he needs to do as a professional, but when it comes to the things as a boxer to be and stay at the world stage, well I don’t think that he possesses the tools that I possess. We’re ready, we’re prepared, and like I said I haven’t underestimated Liam at all. He’s a world champion for a reason.
Further Quotes
“Liam knows how to box but come Saturday I’ll be prepared for a boxing match too. At the end of the day, when it comes to the sweet science, I know how to do it all. I’m at the world stage for a reason. I’ve been showing that I’m at a world stage since the amateurs. I’ve had to fight 20 different styles in seven days in Russia as an Olympian, so I’m used to all kinds of different styles. Whatever he brings to the table, I’ll be able to adjust.
“I win this fight by showing that I’m a world class fighter, just like I’ve done in every other fight. In my last fight I got a lot of criticism for how close it was, but I think that my last fight was definitely an experience that showed me that you do everything right as a professional. Especially with nutrition, listening to the right people, and making weight the right way. That’s why I respect Liam, because he’s not one of those guys that will mess around.
“This fight I’m coming in more seasoned and with more experience, I’m doing everything right. For me to win this fight it won’t be through any means necessary, it will be by showing that I am at a world class level. Liam has never been in the ring with an opponent like me. I’m saying it now, and he will be saying it after the fight,” Hitchins
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