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New York, NY – The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden was the site of a dominant performance by hometown favorite Richardson Hitchins, who successfully defended his junior welterweight title with an eighth-round stoppage of former unified champion George Kambosos. The fight marked a full-circle moment for many fans who were in attendance four years ago when Kambosos shocked the world by defeating Teofimo Lopez in the same building. This time, however, it was Hitchins who left no room for surprises.
A Strong Undercard Sets the Stage
The event began with a series of exciting preliminary bouts that showcased emerging talent across multiple weight classes.
Adam Maca vs. Rafael Castillo: In his professional debut, Adam Maca wasted no time establishing himself. He overwhelmed Castillo with nonstop aggression and secured a stoppage in the second round, making an emphatic first impression.
Nishant Dev vs. Josue Silva: The fight started slowly but picked up pace by the end of the first round. Dev utilized his reach and effective one-two combinations to control the action, ultimately earning a dominant unanimous decision victory.
Mandatory Credit: Geoffrey Knott/MatchroomBoxing
Zaquin Moses vs. Carl Rogers: Moses, the Newark native, looked composed and powerful from the outset. He dropped Rogers in the fourth round with a hard right hand and continued his assault until the referee stepped in. Moses’ size and strength were on full display throughout.
Mandatory Credit: Geoffrey Knott/MatchroomBoxing
Teremoana Teremoana vs. Akeem Whitfield: Teremoana delivered the evening’s quickest finish with a stunning first-round knockout. A single well-placed punch ended the fight in dramatic fashion.
Andy Cruz Shines in the Co-Main Event
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Rising star Andy Cruz took on Hironori Mishori in the co-main. After a measured start, Cruz turned up the intensity in the third round, landing crisp combinations and dropping Mishori twice. The referee stopped the bout in the fifth round. Cruz celebrated with the crowd and later called out Keyshawn Davis in the post-fight interview, referring to him as his “son” and expressing a strong desire for a rematch.
Hitchins’ Clinic: Methodical, Precise, and Punishing
Mandatory Credit: Geoffrey Knott/MatchroomBoxing
In the main event, Richardson Hitchins delivered a disciplined and dominant performance. From the opening bell, Hitchins controlled the distance with his jab and precise straight right hands. Kambosos had difficulty closing the gap, and Hitchins took full advantage of his size and reach.
The fifth round proved pivotal, as Hitchins landed a punishing body shot that visibly hurt Kambosos. Though the Australian veteran managed to survive the round, the damage was accumulating. By the eighth round, Hitchins unleashed a series of body blows that sent Kambosos to the canvas. The referee had seen enough and waved off the fight, awarding Hitchins the TKO victory
Looking Ahead: Haney and Lopez in the Crosshairs
At the post-fight press conference, Hitchins made his future intentions clear. He called out both Devin Haney and Teofimo Lopez as potential opponents. Both fighters are managed by Keith Connelly, who acknowledged the challenges of matching two of his own clients but expressed willingness to make the fights if both camps agree.
Final Thoughts
Richardson Hitchins didn’t just win—he impressed. With a mature, commanding performance against a former champion, he proved that he’s ready for elite names in the 140-pound division. With Haney and Lopez on his radar, Hitchins might soon find himself in one of boxing’s most anticipated matchups.