Richardson Hitchins vs Jose Zepeda – Results & Post-Fight Report

At the top of a Matchroom promoted show at Caribe Royale in Orlando, Richardson Hitchens added the WBC Silver and WBO NABO super lightweight titles to his IBF North American belt with a dominant points win against Jose Zepeda.

Hitchins (17-0, KO12) was facing his first real acid test as a professional, as Zepeda (37-4, KO28) had challenged for world titles on no less than three previous occasions, failing in tilts at lightweight and twice at super lightweight.

This one was one-way traffic pretty much throughout, as Hitchins turned in a boxing clinic to thrash Zepeda. After feeling each other out in the opener, Hitchins set out to work, dazzling with combinations and counters, and by round four, the frustration for Zepeda was evident. The pace was allowing Hitchins to fully dictate, and he went through his full repertoire of punches as the dominance continued after halfway. By the championship rounds, Zepeda knew he needed a knockout, and although he applied pressure in round ten, he was picked off by Hitchins and forced to eat yet more combinations. The beatdown continued into the final round, and the contest went to the cards, where the result was academic.

Hitchins was declared the winner by two scores of 120-108, and a third at 119-109.

Conor Benn (22-0, KO14) was hastily added to the undercard, and with him being cleared to fight in the USA after an ongoing failed test saga with the British Boxing Board of Control, he took a ten round points win up at super welterweight against Rodolfo Orozco (32-4-3, KO24) after over a year away from the ring. Benn started well, and although Orozco was competitive, Benn was a step ahead. ‘The Destroyer’ did slow down the stretch, but came through on the cards by scores of 99-91 (twice) and 96-94.

Sandy Ryan (6-1-1, KO2) will wonder exactly how she isn’t unified welterweight champion, as she was denied the addition of the WBC, WBA and IBO belts to her WBO bauble by being held to a draw by Jessica McCaskill (12-3-1, KO5). Ryan looked to get the better of most of the exchanges and action during the contest, but would be denied a famous win on the scorecards. One judge somehow had McCaskill a 97-93 winner, while another had Ryan a 96-94 victor. The final judge ruled a 95-95 draw to ensure the fight ended a stalemate.