Richardson Hitchins and Gustavo Lemos Fight in World Title Pursuit
Richardson Hitchins (17-0, 7 KOs) and Gustavo Lemos (29-0, 19 KOs) fight on Saturday, looking to earn a world title shot.
The two super lightweights headline a Matchroom Boxing card at the Fontainebleu Las Vegas. DAZN will broadcast the April 6 event live around the world. Both fighters clash in an eliminator for the IBF world title currently held by Subriel Matías. Ahead of their upcoming bout, both men spoke at a press conference. Below is some of what they said.
Richardson Hitchins and Gustavo Lemos Fight in World Title Pursuit
Richardson Hitchins
“At this point I can say I’ve been here ready,” said Hitchins. “I’ve been here ready since before I was even signed with [Matchroom Boxing]. I said this the last press conference [in the buildup to the clash with Jose Zepeda], I said this numerous, numerous times over again. I beat former world champions, I beat guys that were big punchers, I beat undefeated guys. He’s never been here. This is a whole different level. He’s never been punched in his face. I’ve been punching shit hard coming up, 10-0. This guy, everybody he fought had terrible records. It’s a difference when you get in here with me it’s going to be a different type of game…”
“This guy coming out the way he been coming out with all his last fights. He fight the way he fought Lee Selby, it ain’t gonna go good for him. Lee Selby hurt him in the third round and I ain’t even know Lee Selby. Lee Selby is 35 years old [at time of Lemos fight], coming up from 126, drained. This guy ain’t never fight nobody. Like I said, I’m gonna step on him on Saturday. I ain’t gonna lie Eddie [Hearn], this is free money. That’s how I feel. This is easy money, it’s free money. You just making my bank account look bigger…it’s time to get to that world stage and prove myself there.”
Gustavo Lemos
“We’ve had some great support from Argentina and we’re fully prepared and ready for this big fight and this big opportunity,” said Lemos through an interpreter.
“Yes, of course it is a great opportunity. To go in and win this fight and going to have big opportunities in the future. Hitchins is in front of me, in the way of my path at the moment so we hope we can get through this and we also hope that the public or the fans enjoy the fight, enjoy the show on Saturday.”
Read More: Subriel Matias Overcomes Tough Start For World Title TKO
“We’ve come to win and I do my talking inside of the ring. It feels as though my opponent likes to do a lot of his talking outside of the ring but let’s see if he’s still speaking inside the ring. That would be beautiful if he’s still talking inside the ring.”
Fight Prediction
This could potentially be a fight that is a lot closer than some may suggest. There was a time when Lemos was seen as a promising lightweight contender. However, inactivity and issues making the weight eventually led him to move up to 140. He could wound up making this a tougher fight than expected. That being said, Hitchins has been dominant in his recent wins and has been close to a world title shot for some time. Expect him to win this via unanimous decision.
Full Press Conference
For the full press conference featuring Hitchins, Lemos and other undercard fighters, click here or the play button below.
Currently writing out of Toronto, Canada, Saadeq first became a boxing fan while living in Doha, Qatar. Looking to become more involved in the sport, he began writing about boxing and has had work published in outlets such as Seconds Out and Boxing Social. He looks forward to continue covering boxing on Big Fight Weekend.
