By: Sean Crose
The 16-0 Richardson Hitchins battled the 37-3 Jose Zepeda Saturday evening earlier than DAZN cameras at Orlando’s Caribe Royale. Their scheduled 10 spherical junior welterweight affair was the primary occasion of a card which noticed Jessica McCaskill struggle Sandy Ryan to a extremely controversial draw, and Conor Benn put in yeoman’s work with the intention to defeat Rudolpho Orazco. In different phrases, the night had been a notable one earlier than Hitchens and Zepeda had even entered the ring. Would the primary occasion outshine the evening’s earlier bouts? Sadly, the reply was a convincing “no”. The struggle proved to be extra a chess match than a blistering, all out struggle.
The primary spherical noticed Zepeda pushing the motion from an ungainly southpaw stance. It was Hitchins, nevertheless, who landed the crisper punches. By the second, Hitchins appeared extra at dwelling within the ring, controlling the tempo and touchdown his jab impressively. Zepeda fought aggressively within the third, but it surely was Hitchins who was in management, beating Zepeda to the punch and holding Zepeda with the intention to stifle his opponent’s offense. It was apparent by the fourth that Hitchins was merely the sooner of the 2 males, and it was making all of the distinction.
The fifth spherical showcased extra of the identical – besides now it appeared like Hitchins’ photographs had been having an influence on the ahead transferring Zepeda. Holding up a excessive guard, Zepeda discovered himself being pushed backwards by way of a part of the sixth. An unintended headbutt stopped the motion for a bit within the seventh, because it had made an influence on Zepeda. Nonetheless, Hitchins remained in management. After the ring physician had checked out Zepeda’s damage – which was on the high of his head – at first of the eighth, the bout reverted to its default format, with Hitchins merely proving himself to be the extra expert of the 2 fighters.
Clearly in cruise management, Hitchins managed the ninth. One other headbutt ceased the motion early within the tenth. As soon as the motion resumed, nevertheless, Zepeda appeared like he could be able to go. The gutsy vet survived the chapter, however his face was a bloody mess. Hitchins, maybe correctly, slowed down a bit within the eleventh. Hitchins slipped and fell within the twelfth, however rapidly received to his toes. To his credit score, Zepeda fought gamely, if futilely till the ultimate bell.
To nobody’s shock, Hitchins left the ring with a unanimous resolution nod from the judges.
