Richardson Hitchins wins WBC Silver title
Sandy Ryan draws with McCaskill in unification clash and Conor Benn bags 10 rounds in comeback fight
The 2016 Haiti Olympian and current rising Super Lightweight contender Richardson Hutchins (17-0, 7KO) won the WBC Silver title by defeating the experienced Californian José Zepeda (37-4, 28KO) by unanimous decision this Saturday, September 23, in Orlando, Florida.
25-year-old New Yorker Hitchins dominated the entire fight against a willing and brave Zepeda, who did not stop seeking the knockout throughout the fight.
Manhattan's Hitchins showed his best technique and footwork that allowed him to win by unanimous decision, "Chon" Zepeda being awarded just one round by one judge.
The scores were 120-108, 120-108 and 119-109, all in favour of Hitchins.
McCaskill-Ryan unification ends in a stalemate
Jessica McCaskill (12-3-1, 5KO) of Chicago and Sandy Ryan (6-1-1, 2KO) of England drew after 10 tremendously competitive rounds.
Derby's Ryan took advantage of her loftier height and extra reach, using her jab and combinations to tag her American opponent.
39-year-old "Caskilla", trained by Rick Ramos, showed great physical condition, as she always does, and was always looking to attack and move forward.
It was a difficult fight to score because both warriors showed great qualities in the ring. Judge Mark Streisand scored it 97-93 in favor of McCaskill, Mike Ross scored it 96-94 in favour of Ryan, and Barry Lindenman had it evens at 95-95.
Ryan flies home with her WBO World welterweight belt and McCaskill keeps her WBC, WBA and IBO baubles, with a rematch inevitable.
Benn taken the distance by tough Mexican
Conor Benn (22-0, 14KO) showed little signs of ring rust as he tangled in the ring for the first time since April 2022, and landed heavy artillery on Rodolfo Orozco (32-4-3, 24KO) early, buckling the legs of the Mexican in the third round.
Orozco absorbed that punishment and more throughout the ten rounds, but had that toughness synonymous with fighters from Mexico, and was able to provide a test of Benn’s own durability and punch-resistance, which the Brit passed with flying colors with scorecards of 99-91 twice and 96-94 – and considered it a good night’s work after enduring ‘hell’ over the last year outside the ring.
“We didn’t want a walk in the park,” said Benn. “I needed the rounds after 18 months out, he’s a true Mexican, my first Mexican I’ve fought, and we knew he was durable. Credit to him, he’s never been stopped before and he’s one tough man and I hope he progresses.
“They are stronger and take shots more, I don’t think there was ring rust, I was going through the gears after going through hell.
“Britain is my home and it’s only right I fight back there, sooner rather than later.”
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