Liam Paro puts his IBF super lightweight title on the line for the first time against Richardson Hitchins at Coliseo Roberto Clemente in Puerto Rico on Saturday.
Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom promote Paro vs Hitchins and DAZN televise live.
Paro (25-0, 15 KOs) has impressively continued to make his way up the ranks, and after wiping out the unbeaten Brock Jarvis in Brisbane, the 28-year-old then knocked out Montana Love in San Francisco in six rounds, and that paved the way for a crack at IBF boss Subriel Matias.
Matias was on home turf in Puerto Rico, but it would be Paro that would take a clear win on the cards.
His first defence looks a tricky one. Hitchins (18-0, 7 KOs) is a technician, winning all 18 of his professional bouts.
The 27-year-old took a wide win on points against Jose Zepeda in September last year which earned him an eliminator for the IBF crown.
To many, it looked like Gustavo Daniel Lemos had done enough to take victory with his aggression, but Hitchins’ boxing was preferred, and he took a points victory to earn his shot at Paro.
Prediction: I think Paro excels more against punchers than boxers, and this could play into Hitchins’ hands. I lean towards the American becoming new champion via decision, although it may be a scrappy affair.
Rivera tackles Gonzalez
Yankiel Rivera is a Puerto Rican seemingly headed for stardom, and he defends his WBO Intercontinental flyweight title, and looks to add the vacant WBC Silver belt, against Angel Gonzalez.
Rivera (6-0, 2 KOs) is coming off an eye-catching wide points win against Victor Sandoval, and he will look to continue his fast-track here.
Gonzalez (14-0, 7 KOs) is unbeaten, but has only been ten rounds once.
Prediction: The pick should be for Rivera to roll on by taking a clear victory on the scorecards.
Lebron faces Velez
At super featherweight, Henry Lebron (19-0, 10 KOs) can take the IBF Latino and WBO NABO straps by outpointing Christopher Diaz-Velez (29-4, 19 KOs), who has only been halted by Emanuel Navarrete in the final round of a world title challenge in 2021.
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Castro clashes with Quintana
Marc Castro (13-0, 8 KOs) is still in the learning phase of his career, but the lightweight should have enough to take a stoppage win against Argentina’s Agustin Ezequiel Quintana (20-2-1, 13 KOs).
Hackett meets Vazquez
At welterweight, Jalil Hackett (9-0, 7 KOs) can win early against Jose Roman Vazquez (13-1, 6 KOs).
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Remaining Undercard
In eight rounders, bantamweight hope Juan Zayas (10-0-1, 8 KOs) can get the better of Geraldo Valdez (16-2, 11 KOs) on points, and at super lightweight, William Ortiz (6-0, 4 KOs) can take a win inside the distance against Lionell Colon (6-0, 3 KOs).
Stephanie Pineiro (7-0, 2 KOs) can also remain unbeaten by winning on points against Ogleidis Suarez (30-5-1, 14 KOs) in their welterweight battle.
The sole four rounder is at super featherweight, where Carlos Leon Castro (2-0, 1 KO) should have too much for Jose Alfredo Guevara (2-2-1, 1 KO) to win early on.
