IBF super lightweight champion Richardson Hitchins is ready to trade with George Kambosos Jr to prove the New Yorker is on another level.
Hitchins, 19-0 and from Manhattan, holds top-tier confidence that the challenger is in too deep as animosity between the pair hits fever pitch.
The 27-year-old takes a step further to world level this Saturday night at Madison Square Garden despite holding a world championship.
Kambosos is the most formidable opponent to date, but nothing is fazing Hitchins at this point. ‘The Emperor’ holds a split decision victory over Teofimo Lopez, which on paper, earned the Greek-Australian future clashes with Devin Haney (twice) and Vasiliy Lomachenko.
However, the jury is still out on Kambosos, who is clinging to the Lopez win to keep him in the mix at the very summit of the division.
Hitchins watched the Teo vs Kambosos fight live and holds no fear of facing either former lightweight champion.
“I remember coming to the Garden and watching Teofimo and Kambosos compete. I looked and I said I can beat both of those guys,” said Hitchins.
“Slowly but surely I said when I get my opportunity, I’ll be world champion.
“New York has had a lot of big fights through the years. But New York hasn’t had its own, I want to say, for 8-10 years now, (nobody has) brought a championship back home, and competed.
“You know, they have somebody they could be behind. I’m glad I’m thankful to God that I’m that guy.
“As far as George Kambosos, a lot of people want to say that – you know when they fight me a lot of guys game plan to go forward, hit him in the shoulder, break him down.
“That’s every guy’s f***ing game plan. I think that George Kambosos is at this level because obviously, he’s got boxing skills. That’s what f***ed Teofimo up.
“Teofimo came at him as if he was just a regular guy, and you know he ran into his face. Saturday night, I’ll be right in front of him all night long, and if he’s confident in himself, they say I’m easy work.
“I know for sure I’m confident in myself, I’ve been saying it since the face off. I want to bet 50 thousand. His dad said he got the bet, so hold up, he said, bring the money. The money’s here, hold up [Richardson pulls out $50k].”
Firing a warning to Kambosos, Hitchins added, “You’re fighting a real New Yorker now, and you’ll see me calm and collected and ready.
“This is why I hate the whole media, they’re trying to write me off about my last fight with Liam Paro, everybody said I was going to lose the fight.
“Show you a lot of people don’t know about boxing – like I said, now they want to make me the favorite. They should have put me as an underdog so I could really shock the world again.
“He’s a bum, he’s still living off the Teofimo win.”
Making his prediction for the fight, Hitchins concluded, “Dominating fashion – like I said Saturday night, I won’t be going anywhere, I’ll be right in front of him.
“Bill Haney wants to say, don’t run, get knocked the f*** out. I ain’t f***ing Devin Haney, I’ll be right in front of him all night punching this guy.
“I’m going to be right there all night. I worry about the whole boxing world. This whole sport is my s***.”
Matchroom Boxing presents Hitchins vs Kambosos live from New York on DAZN worldwide for the IBF world super lightweight title.
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Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay and learn more about the author. Phil Jay is an experienced boxing writer and Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News since 2010.
