World Title Showdown in Puerto Rico – Puerto Rican Stars to Shine on Stacked Undercard
Liam Paro is set to defend his IBF World Super-Lightweight title for the first time, taking on Richardson Hitchins on Saturday, December 7 at the Roberto Clemente Coliseo in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The event, brought by Matchroom Boxing and Universal Promotions, will air live globally on DAZN.
Tickets for Paro vs. Hitchins go on sale on October 8.
Paro (25-0, 15 KOs) secured his IBF title after defeating Puerto Rican star Subriel Matias in June, marking a career-best performance. This will be the Australian’s third consecutive fight in the U.S. Paro remains undefeated, boasting wins over Montana Love and Yomar Alamo.
Hitchins (18-0, 7 KOs), the IBF mandatory challenger, earned his shot by defeating Gustavo Lemos in April. This will be the 27-year-old Brooklyn native’s first World title challenge. Hitchins has impressed under Eddie Hearn, with wins over Jose Zepeda, John Bauza, and mutual opponent Yomar Alamo.
Liam Paro stated, “All the so-called big guys at 140lbs lost their tongues, so I decided to bring on my mandatory defense early against Hitchins and clear the path for 2025.”
Meanwhile, Hitchins is confident: “For as long as I can remember, I’ve been telling anyone who would listen that I’m the best 140 lbs fighter on the planet. On December 7, I finally get the chance to solidify that.”
Undercard: Puerto Rican Stars Take Center Stage
A thrilling undercard will support the main event, showcasing Puerto Rican talent. Henry Lebron (19-0, 10 KOs) takes on compatriot Christopher Diaz (29-5, 19 KOs) in a Super-Featherweight clash for the vacant IBF Latino title. Diaz, also known as “Pitufo,” will put his WBA Continental Latin America title on the line, making this a high-stakes battle for both fighters.
“I am very happy with this opportunity to fight again in Puerto Rico,” said Lebron, who is eager to impress his home crowd after five years away. Diaz shared similar excitement: “As a proud Puerto Rican, fighting in front of my countrymen means everything to me.”
Yankiel Rivera Returns to Action
Puerto Rican Olympian Yankiel Rivera (6-0, 2 KOs) will also feature on the card, building on his victory against Victor Sandoval in June. Rivera is aiming for a World title shot in 2025.
Jalil Hackett (9-0, 7 KOs) defends his WBA Continental Americas Welterweight title against Puerto Rican standout Jose Roman (13-1, 6 KOs), continuing his rapid rise through the ranks.
Other notable matchups include:
- Marc Castro (13-0, 8 KOs) returning in a ten-round Lightweight bout.
- Stephanie Pineiro (7-0, 2 KOs) will end her year in an eight-round contest.
- Undefeated Juan Zayas (10-0-1, 8 KOs) faces Marcelino Nieves (19-0, 13 KOs) at Bantamweight.
- William Ortiz (6-0, 4 KOs) squares off against fellow unbeaten fighter Lionell Colon (6-0, 3 KOs) at Super-Lightweight.
Promoter Statements
Eddie Hearn, Matchroom’s promoter, said, “Liam was sensational when he ripped the strap from Subriel Matias in June. I’m fascinated to see how this fight plays out.”
Javier Bustillo, Universal Promotions CEO, added, “It’s a great honor to bring World championship boxing to Puerto Rico. We’re combining the best boxing from Puerto Rico with the best boxing in the world.”
Boxing fans are in for a stacked night of action on December 7, showcasing some of the top talent from Puerto Rico and beyond.
