Richardson Hitchins moved closer to a world title shot, as he won his IBF super lightweight title final eliminator with a contentious points win against Gustavo Lemos in a Matchroom-promoted show at Fontainebleu, Las Vegas.
Hitchins (18-0, 7 KOs) had been making impressive steps up in class, and in his most recent outing, he routed former three-time world title challenger, Jose Zepeda on the cards. Lemos (29-1, 19 KOs) hadn’t yet ventured outside of his native Argentina, with his best win coming in March 2022 with a fifth round stoppage of former world champion, Lee Selby in Buenos Aires.
The visitor began well, landing with a clean overhand right in the closing stages of the opening round, and he then unleashed a big volley of punches in the second with the American trapped in the corner.
Lemos did show signs of slowing down from round four, and although Hitchins belatedly came to life in the sixth and seventh rounds, the Argentine found a second wind, hurting Hitchins to the point where the 26-year-old was forced to hold on for dear life in round eight, fortunate not to be docked a point for doing so.
It was good action down the stretch, but the final frame saw the Brooklyn man mainly running and grabbing hold of his opponent, which somehow won him the session, and ultimately the fight.
Two judges had Hitchins a 115-113 winner, while a third turned in an inexplicable 117-111 card to ensure he remains is in line to face IBF champion, Subriel Matias, who first defends his belt against Liam Paro on June 15 in Puerto Rico.
War in the 10th! 🤯🤯#HitchinsLemos | @DAZNBoxing pic.twitter.com/NmfVZWO6Y9
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) April 7, 2024
Pacheco outscores McCalman
The co-feature included big-punching prospect Diego Pacheco and the Californian had to settle for a win over the ten round distance, defending his WBC USA and WBO International super middleweight belts against Shawn McCalman.
McCalman (15-1, 7 KOs) made a fast start, with Pacheco (21-0, 17 KOs) struggling to deal with his quickness in the opening few rounds, but he swiftly took over after halfway, and took victory by scores of 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94.
Nicolson becomes world champion
After a spell as interim champion, Skye Nicolson (10-0, 1 KO) claimed the vacant WBC featherweight title with a routine points win against Sarah Mahfoud (14-2, 3 KOs).
The Australian pitched a shutout 100-90 win on two scorecards, and a 99-91 tally on a third to become world champion.
Yafai stops Gauto
Galal Yafai (7-0, 5 KOs) continued his impressive professional journey, scoring an impressive eighth round stoppage against Agustin Gauto (21-2, 15 KOs) to defend his WBC International flyweight title for a fifth time.
The 2020 Olympic Gold medalist dominated from the off, and eventually ground the Argentine down to record a fifth early win from seven outings.
Remaining Undercard
Marc Castro took his first professional title, as he won the vacant WBC Continental Americas super featherweight bauble with a clear win on the cards against Abraham Montoya (22-6-1, 14 KOs).
Castro (12-0, 8 KOs) was adjudged the winner by scores of 100-90, 98-92 and 97-93.
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Steven Navarro (1-0, 1 KOs) debuted, and the 20-year-old recorded a sixth and final round stoppage against Jose Lopez (4-3-3) at super flyweight, and lightweight prospect Harley Mederos (6-0, 5 KOs) dropped Pedro Vicente Scharbaai (7-7-1, 2 KOs) twice on the way to a fourth round win in their scheduled six rounder.
