Richardson Hitchins secured a comfortable unanimous decision victory over Ricardo Salas in his welterweight debut at Zuffa Boxing 9 on Sunday. The Brooklyn native controlled all ten rounds at Madison Square Garden, earning 100-90 scores across the board.
Making his first appearance under the Zuffa Boxing banner at the Infosys Theater, Hitchins immediately established the piston-like jab that previously carried him to a world title at 140 pounds. From the opening bell, he dictated the tempo against his Mexican opponent. Salas attempted to press inside to deliver body shots, but Hitchins met each advance with sharp jabs and straight right hands. When Salas succeeded in closing the range, Hitchins circled away smoothly or initiated a clinch before any sustained exchanges could develop.
The defensive display shared striking similarities with the tactical approach of Shakur Stevenson. Hitchins accumulated points consistently through the middle rounds with accurate left hooks and right hands, retreating whenever Salas pushed forward. The strategy effectively stifled Salas’s offensive rhythm, though it resulted in extended periods with limited action.
Hitchins appeared physically comfortable despite stepping up to the 147-pound weight class. His shoulder-roll defence caused numerous punches to miss, while his footwork kept Salas chasing throughout the night. Although his corner encouraged a more aggressive posture in pursuit of a late stoppage, the Brooklyn fighter refused to abandon his disciplined approach. He later disclosed that a right-hand injury suffered in training camp began bothering him in the sixth round. Even with the physical issue, he completed the ten rounds without appearing troubled.
Salas displayed durability by advancing through clean counters, but he was unable to alter the course of the fight.
The complete shutout confirms that Hitchins possesses the technical capability to compete effectively at welterweight. While his safety-first style may not appeal to fans seeking high-volume action, his defensive structure makes him a difficult opponent to solve. Following his successful debut at 147 pounds, Hitchins identified Gervonta Davis, Ryan Garcia, and Devin Haney as the high-profile opponents he wants to face next.
