Richardson Hitchins maintained his unbeaten record but faced a tough challenge in Gustavo Lemos. The 140-pound contender had to dig deep to secure a narrow victory over Lemos in a tight decision Saturday in Las Vegas.
Hitchins (18-0, 7 KOs) emerged victorious with scores of 117-111, 115-113, and 115-113, though the latter two reflected the closely contested nature of the bout.
Despite Hitchins’ effective use of his jab throughout the fight, Lemos (29-1, 19 KOs) applied relentless pressure, forcing Hitchins into engaging in spirited exchanges. The CompuBox stats showed a close match, with Hitchins landing 172 punches compared to Lemos’ 161.
While Hitchins held an advantage in jabs landed (98-22), Lemos excelled in power shots connected (139-74). Judge Tim Cheatham’s 117-111 score in favor of Hitchins was contentious, with the 115-113 scores offering a more accurate reflection of the bout.
This win positions the 26-year-old Hitchins from Brooklyn as the mandatory challenger for the IBF 140-pound title. With Champion Subriel Matias defending his belt against Liam Paro in June, Hitchins eyes the opportunity to face the winner.
Despite the loss, Lemos, aged 28, displayed his capabilities as a formidable opponent, particularly with his notable victory over Lee Selby. His strong performance against Hitchins suggests further opportunities in the 140-pound division await him.
Credit: Boxing Junkie
