Richardson Hitchins (born September 26, 1997) is an American professional boxer, who has held the International Boxing Federation (IBF) light welterweight title since December 2024.
Hitchins was born and raised in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. 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. 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. He began training at age 12 and credits his childhood gym, Atlas Cops & Kids, for keeping him away from the streets.
As an amateur at the national level, Hitchins won back to back New York Golden Gloves. At the international level, having failed to qualify for the U.S. Olympic team, he decided to represent his parents' country of Haiti instead. 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.
Hitchins made his professional debut on March 4, 2017, defeating Mario Perez by TKO in the first round. He compiled a record of 14âÂÂ0 with six wins by way of knockout (KO), defeating former IBF super featherweight champion Argenis Mendez along the way.
In his first pro fight since signing with Matchroom Boxing, Hitchins faced Yomar ÃÂlamo for the vacant IBF North American light welterweight title on November 12, 2022. He won the bout after ÃÂlamo's corner decided to call an end to the contest at the conclusion of the eighth round.
On February 4, 2023, Hitchins faced John Bauza with the IBF North American and WBC USA light welterweight titles on the line. 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 100âÂÂ88.
Looking to add the vacant WBC Silver and NABO light welterweight titles to his collection, Hitchins faced Jose Zepeda on September 23, 2023. He controlled the bout from start to finish, winning by unanimous decision. The three judges scored the bout 120âÂÂ108, 120âÂÂ108, and 119âÂÂ109, all in favor of Hitchins.
On April 6, 2024 in Las Vegas, Hitchins was scheduled to face Gustavo Daniel Lemos in the IBF super lightweight title eliminator. Hitchins, in a very controversial outcome, defeated Lemos via unanimous decision.
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.
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. Hitchins defeated Kambosos Jr. by eighth-round knockout to retain his title.
Hitchins is scheduled to make the second defense of his IBF super lightweight title against Oscar Duarte on February 21, 2026, in Las Vegas.
Hitchins currently lives and trains in Brooklyn, New York. He has been with longtime trainer Lenny Wilson since he was 15. Hitchins is currently signed with Matchroom Boxing. He was previously signed with Mayweather Promotions, founded by Floyd Mayweather Jr., immediately before turning pro.
Hitchins is of Haitian descent.
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