Richardson Hitchins dishes out a New York beating on George Kambosos
Plus, Andy Cruz trolls Keyshawn, AJ fight plans and Eubank Jr weight cut
Richardson Hitchins showed his class on Saturday evening in New York, headlining on DAZN against George Kambosos Jr. Andy Cruz impressed on the undercard. Elsewhere, news items include updates on Anthony Joshua, Moses Itauma, and Chris Eubank Jr.
1. Richardson Hitchins tames gritty Kambosos behind the jab
In New York on Saturday evening, Richardson Hitchins swatted aside any comparisons between Devin Haney and himself by doing in eight rounds what it took ‘The Dream’ 24 rounds to accomplish.
Of course, contractual rematches and variations in fighter freshness must be taken into account. Hitchins made sure the separation was clear. One man is on the way up, the other has had his brief moment in the sun and retirement looms.
Unless Eddie wants to feed George Kambosos to any of his prospects, akin to the late-career Jorge Linares role. The Aussie can just about hang in world-class, but his win over Teofimo Lopez in 2021 is the exception, not the rule. He’s not at the level of the next generation.
As for Hitchins, he most certainly is. Shaking off the early PBC bore performances, where Hitch and many of his peers were imitating Floyd, Richardson showed a jab so heavy and spiteful that it could tame the best. The body shots weren’t half bad either. An arsenal that, should he choose to use it, will take Hitchins far.
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2. Andy Cruz celebrates Father’s Day with Mishiro mauling
I’m really enjoying Andy Cruz’s trolling of Keyshawn Davis. The Cuban beat Davis numerous times as an amateur, and a return fixture in the professional ranks makes sense.
Keyshawn’s epic rise has been tempered by a few unsavoury incidents now, the latest being his weight miss and frivolous attitude last weekend. Cruz is showing his personality by labelling himself as Keyshawn’s father, willing to discipline him once more for his indiscretions.
Cruz is now in line for a shot at newly-installed IBF champ Raymond Muratalla, who was elevated following Lomachenko’s retirement. If Cruz can get hold of that belt, then he can pursue Davis. Keyshawn was WBO king at 135 but will now bloat up to 140, moving further away from the iron rod of Father Cruz.
3. Moses Itauma should make short work of Dillian Whyte
Moses Itauma will fight Dillian Whyte on August 16 in a Riyadh Season card. I don’t see anything but an Itauma demolition job in this one.
Not that I’m 100 per cent sold on Itauma (please see previous week’s column) until he ticks the Wellings boxes of approval. That said, he looks the business so far in his short career, and I’m not convinced this version of Whyte has much to offer.
Prime Dillian was a physically strong, robust specimen who could hang with the better operators. The timing and enthusiasm have since dulled. Bouts of PED-laced inactivity, mingled with poor opposition when he has featured, will have left Whyte even more underprepared in my view.
4. Anthony Joshua-Tyson Fury saga rumbles on
Mumblings have started again around AJ’s next fight. The Dillian Whyte return bout is off the cards now that Whyte has signed up for a fight with Moses Itauma.
If 2026 is Joshua’s last year in boxing, as Eddie Hearn suggests, the drawn-out Tyson Fury fight needs to happen ASAP. If the interest remains. Any lesser names and Joshua cannot return to the stadium fights.
Jared Anderson has been mentioned, although it’s hard to know where his mental state is after a loss and poor performance in his last two outings.
5. Chris Eubank Jr weight cut under Board scrutiny
As quickly as the intense beef cooled down between Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn, the pair were back at it trying to organise a September rematch. Much of the first-fight controversy surrounded Eubank’s weight drain.
Clearly fatigued by the weight cut, there is no way he safely made the agreed 160 pounds, in my view. Appearing gaunt and emaciated, Eubank Jr later admitted he had been boiling down and sweating it out in a sauna prior to the fight in a bid to shed those last few pesky pounds.
The British Boxing Board of Control have since taken an interest in this alleged admission. The Brighton man has been booked in for a meeting in July to explain himself. A follow-up fine and a slap on the wrist are likely if he is found guilty.
Image credits: Sky Sports, BBC.
About Steve…
Current existence: Online editor at Boxing News Magazine.
Previous lives: Author (8 books), podcaster (500+ eps), scriptwriter for Motivedia channel, newspaper journalist, copywriter & educator.
Contact: stevenwellings1982@gmail.com
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