This is Richardson Hitchins' moment to shine.
The 27-year-old challenges IBF junior welterweight champion Liam Paro for his title on Saturday in Puerto Rico, available live worldwide on DAZN, and Hitchins isn't taking the opportunity for granted.
Undefeated with a 17-0 record, Hitchins earned this title shot by defeating a variety of different fighters, and now the Brooklyn native acknowledges that he's about to come up against his biggest test in the Australian world champion.
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However, Hitchins believes he'll be able to take whatever Paro dishes out on Saturday and respond in kind.
“Liam knows how to box but come Saturday I’ll be prepared for a boxing match too," Hitchins said on Thursday at the final press conference before fight night. "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.”
Hitchins isn't planning on just reacting to whatever Paro does though, as he feels he can put his own stamp on the bout and put the champion on the back foot.
“I win this fight by showing that I'm a world class fighter, just like I’ve done in every other fight," Hitchins said. "In my last fight [against Jose Zepeda last year] 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.”
