Hitchins on Kambosos: ‘I’ll be right in front of him all night long’

Last December, IBF 140-pound champion Richardson Hitchins traveled to Puerto Rico and dominated Liam Paro by unanimous decision to capture his first world title.

On Saturday, the 27-year-old Hitchins will make his first defense of his title on Saturday night at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in Hitchins’ hometown of New York City against former world champion George Kambosos Jr. (22-3, 10 KOs).

Hitchins (19-0, 7 KO) is looking forward to the opportunity to defend his title in his hometown.

“I remember coming to the Garden and watching Teofimo(Lopez) and Kambosos compete and I looked and I said I can beat both of those guys,” he said at the final press conference on Thursday. “Slowly but surely I said when I get my opportunity I’ll be world champion. I’ll bring the championship back to New York because, you know, New York has had a lot of big fights through the years. But New York hasn’t had its own, I want to say, for 8-10 years now, brought a championship back home and competed. You know they have somebody they could be behind, and I’m glad I’m thankful to God that I’m that guy.”

Kambosos got the biggest win of his career at MSG when he upset Teofimo Lopez in 2021. Hitchins believes Lopez overlooked Kambosos, which is something he said he wouldn’t do on Saturday night.

“As far as George Kambosos, a lot of people want to say that – you know, when they fight me, a lot of guys game plan to go forward, hit him in the shoulder, break him down,” Hitchins said. “That’s every guy’s f**cking game plan. I think that George Kambosos is at this level because obviously he’s got boxing skills. That’s what f**cked Teofimo up. Teofimo came at him as if he was just a regular guy, and you know he ran into his face. Saturday night, I’ll be right in front of him all night long, and if he’s confident in himself, they say I’m easy work. I know for sure I’m confident in myself.” 

The 31-year-old Kambosos, who is 2-3 in his last five fights, says he’ll get the job done against Hitchins.

“As you know, I love that underdog role, but there are no maybes; I’m doing this,” Kambosos said. “There’s no fake stuff. I’m going to this home in a familiar place where I’m 2-0 already. This is the trifecta… I’m coming here as the underdog, and I’m coming here to win this fight. You have seen it before, and I’m here to win this fight; whatever it takes, there is no plan B. “

Like Kambosos, Hitchins believes he will win on Saturday night without any issues or problems.

“Dominating fashion – like I said Saturday night, I won’t be going nowhere; I’ll be right in front of him,” he said. “Bill Haney wants to say don’t run, get knocked the f*ck out. I ain’t f**cking Devin Haney. I’ll be right in front of him all night punching this guy. I’m going to be right there all night. I worry about the whole boxing world. This whole sport is my sh**.”

Prediction:

Hitchins is the better fighter, but he’s fighting in his hometown, so there could be some pressure. Again, Hitchins is better, but Kamobosos is tough and may not be an easy out.

End of the day, Hitchins easily wins by unanimous decision.

Photo: Geoffrey Knott/MatchroomBoxing