Press Release:
Liam Paro will make the first defense of his IBF World Super-Lightweight title against Richardson Hitchins on Saturday December 7 at the Roberto Clemente Coliseo in San Juan, Puerto Rico, live worldwide on DAZN, on a huge night of action brought to you by Matchroom Boxing and Universal Promotions.
Paro (25-0 15 KOs) ripped the World title from hometown star Subriel Matias in Manati, Puerto Rico, dethroning the champion with a career-best performance in June to land the strap via unanimous decision. The Australian extended his unbeaten run in the paid ranks to 25 nights on that standout night in his eight-year career, and will fight in the States for the third time in a row and fourth in total, having knocked out Montana Love in San Francisco in December and seen off Yomar Alamo in his first stateside fight in December 2021 in Tampa.
Hitchins (18-0 7 KOs) became the mandatory challenger for the IBF crown in April when he saw off the spirited challenge of Argentinian Gustavo Lemos in Las Vegas, and the undefeated Brooklyn slickster takes on his first World title challenge in Puerto Rico against the 28 year old champion. The 27 year old lands his big night in his fifth fight under the Matchroom banner, and has been impressive under Eddie Hearn’s guidance, with wins of Jose Zepeda, John Bauza and mutual opponent, Yomar Alamo.
A stacked undercard in support of the World championship main event will feature the very best in Puerto Rican talent, led by a mouth-watering Super-Featherweight clash between Henry Lebron and Christopher Diaz.
Lebron (19-0 10 KOs) returns to his homeland for the first time in five years and does so in the biggest night of his career, as the #4 in the IBF looks to press his claims for World title action in 2025 with a big win over a domestic rival and pick up the vacant IBF Latino title in the process. Diaz (29-5 19 KOs) sits pretty at #7 in the WBA, has already tasted World title action and is hungry to do so again, and ‘Pitufo’ puts his WBA Continental Latin America title on the line in a pivotal clash for the immediate futures of both.
Puerto Rican Olympian star Yankiel Rivera returns to action as he makes it back to back fights in his homeland. Rivera (6-0 2 KOs) continued his impressive start to life in the paid ranks with victory over Victor Sandoval on the undercard of Paro’s win over Matias, a sixth success as a pro for ‘El Doctorcito’ and now the 27 year old will be looking to end 2024 with a bang and set up a big 2025, with World title ambitions at the forefront of his mind.
There is so much exciting action in store on December 7, and Jalil Hackett will aim so show once again that he has no fear in the infancy of his career as he travels to Puerto Rico for a title defense. Hackett (9-0 7 KOs) was impressive in a big step up to win the WBA Continental Americas Welterweight title on his Matchroom debut against Peter Dobson in July, and ‘Major’ will defend that title in another real test against Puerto Rico’s former amateur standout Jose Roman (13-1 6 KOs) on December 7.
Marc Castro (13-0 8 KOs) is back in the ring after headlining the unique Riyadh Season fight week event at Santa Monica pier in July, and the Fresno talent will be matched over ten rounds at Lightweight as the amateur standout continues to make waves in the pro game.
Stephanie Pineiro (7-0 2 KOs) was impressive in Manati in June where she landed the WBA Continental America and WBO International Welterweight titles against Diana Castro, and the Puerto Rican will end 2024 over eight rounds against an opponent to be announced soon.
There is another fight where undefeated records are on the line as Puerto Rico’s Juan Zayas (10-0-1 8 KOs) takes on Dominican Marcelino Nieves (19-0 13 KOs) over eight rounds at Bantamweight and Matchroom’s Puerto Rican talent William Ortiz (6-0 4 KOs) faces fellow unbeaten Puerto Rican Lionell Colon (6-0 3 KOs) over eight rounds at Super-Lightweight.
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