On a thrilling Saturday night at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, Richardson Hitchins successfully defended his IBF super lightweight title with a commanding eighth-round technical knockout over former unified lightweight champion George Kambosos Jr. The event, held on June 14, 2025, featured a compelling mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars, but the main event was the highlight, showcasing Hitchins’ skill and determination in front of his home crowd.
Richardson Hitchins, a Brooklyn native, entered the ring undefeated with a 19-0 record, including seven knockouts. He claimed the IBF super lightweight title in December 2024 with a split decision victory over Liam Paro in Puerto Rico, a win that marked a significant milestone in his career. Saturday’s bout was his first title defense, his fourth consecutive headliner, and notably his first in his home state of New York. The stakes were high as he faced George Kambosos Jr., the Australian fighter who famously upset Teofimo Lopez in 2021 at the same venue to capture the WBA, IBF, and WBO unified lightweight titles.
Kambosos, who came into the fight with a 22-3 record and ten knockouts, was looking to reclaim glory after a challenging few years. Following his stunning win over Lopez, Kambosos suffered back-to-back defeats at the hands of Devin Haney in 2022 and was stopped by Vasiliy Lomachenko in May 2024. However, he rebounded with a unanimous decision win over Jake Wyllie in March 2025, marking a successful debut at super lightweight, and earned his shot at Hitchins’ IBF title.
The fight unfolded as a tactical battle with Hitchins’ jab setting the tone early. Throughout the contest, Hitchins displayed superior boxing skills, controlling range and pace with precision. Kambosos showed resilience and grit, attempting to disrupt Hitchins’ rhythm, but the champion’s technical prowess proved too much. The pivotal moment came with two devastating left hands to Kambosos’ body—one in the fifth round and another in the eighth—which inflicted significant damage and ultimately ended the bout.
In the eighth round, after landing a thunderous left hook, Hitchins turned to Kambosos’ corner and implored them to stop the fight. “I smelled blood but I just wanted to keep punishing him. I told his dad, ‘If you love your son, you’ll stop the fight,’” Hitchins said after the fight. The Australian fighter, though tough and competitive, was unable to withstand the onslaught, and the referee waved off the contest, awarding Hitchins a TKO victory.
Hitchins, now 20-0, expressed immense pride in his achievement and the significance of defending his title on home soil. “I was watching Teofimo [Lopez] and George Kambosos go to war in this ring and I was sitting somewhere up there and I said, ‘When I get my opportunity, I would make the best of it,’” he said. “I’ve been telling the boxing world that I was coming and they should have listened, so now I’m here.”
Not one to shy away from future challenges, Hitchins called out Devin Haney, signaling his ambition to climb the ranks and face the elite in his division. “F--- Devin Haney and Bill Haney, p---ies,” he declared, adding a fiery edge to his post-fight remarks.
For Kambosos, who turned 32 on fight day, the defeat marked a tough setback, dropping his record to 22-4. Acknowledging Hitchins’ superior performance, he stated, “I really believed in myself but I just didn’t have the timing, he was a little bit too good for me tonight.” He reflected on his recent grueling schedule, noting, “I’ve had two fights in three months… I’ve been fighting the best. Right now, I’m going to coach my son’s footy team, that’s what I want to do.”
The undercard also delivered notable performances. Cuban star Andy Cruz continued his rise with a clinical fifth-round TKO over Hironori Mishiro in a final eliminator for the IBF lightweight title held by Raymond Muratalla. Cruz, a two-time Olympic gold medallist, dominated the bout, dropping Mishiro twice in the third round before forcing the stoppage. His impressive power punch accuracy of 47 percent underlines his status as a formidable contender.
In the heavyweight division, rising Australian prospect Teremoana Teremoana extended his streak of first-round knockout victories to five with a devastating combination that floored the previously undefeated Aleem Whitfield. The victory improved Teremoana’s record to 8-0 and earned high praise from co-promoter Eddie Hearn, who called him a “future world heavyweight champion.”
Other fights on the card included Zaquin Moses defeating Carl Rogers via fourth-round TKO, Nishant Dev securing a unanimous decision over Josue Silva with all judges scoring 60-54, and Adam Maca stopping Rafael Castillo in the second round. The prelims began at 7:15 p.m. ET, with the main card starting at 8:30 p.m. ET and the main event ring walks around 11:00 p.m. ET.
The event was available to stream live on DAZN in the United States and Kayo Sports in Australia, with the latter offering the fight as a pay-per-view for $49.95 AUD. DAZN subscriptions ranged from $19.99 monthly on a 12-month contract to $24.99 month-to-month, with an annual option priced at $224.99.
Richardson Hitchins’ victory not only solidifies his position as a rising star in the super lightweight division but also marks a significant moment for New York boxing fans, who witnessed a hometown champion defend his crown in style. Meanwhile, George Kambosos Jr.'s journey faces a crossroads, as his future in elite competition remains uncertain.
