Richardson Hitchins credits Eddie Hearn for saving his career as he plots route to George Kambosos Jr victory

Richardson Hitchins has thanked esteemed boxing promoter Eddie Hearn for helping save his boxing career as the American bids to make a successful first defence of his prized IBF super-lightweight title against George Kambosos Jr this weekend.

The unbeaten American has risen to prominence since inking a multi-fight agreement with Matchroom in 2022, capturing his first world title courtesy of a dramatic split-decision success over Australian star Liam Paro last time out.

He will now look to defend that title against former unified 135lbs king Kambosos Jr, an opponent who, of course, inflicted a first professional defeat upon Teofimo Lopez in November 2021.

The Australian ultimately failed in his quest to become undisputed super-lightweight king, succumbing to successive defeats at the hands of Devin Haney, but now has the opportunity to earn himself credible world championship status for a second time in New York City.

However, Hitchins' - who will be fighting in his home city for just the second time in six years - has vowed to crush his opponents dream on a stage he feels wouldn't have been possible without the guidance of British boxing lynch-pin, Hearn.

“First off, I just want to thank God for being here," the 27-year-old said at the final pre-fight press conference.

All this actually becoming true because I know the work that I put in, it’s been happening years before I was signed with you (Matchroom) - you (Eddie Hearn) helped save my career and I want to give a personal thank you.

- Richardson Hitchins

"You brought structure back into my career and I said it over and over my manager kept calling, my coach Lenny Wilson, Scooter strength conditioning, Whitey my manager.

"This is what I worked for my whole life this whole everything."

Hitchins was one of many aspiring boxing world champions inside the fabled Madison Square Garden when Kambosos Jr produced an almighty upset to dethrone Lopez Jr almost four years ago.

Despite having not even captured domestic honours at that point, the Brooklyn-born star knew that he would one day go on to follow in their footsteps and establish himself as a world champion.

"I remember coming to the Garden and watching Teofimo (Lopez) and (George) Kambosos compete and I looked and I said I can beat both of those guys," he remarked.

"Slowly but surely I said when I get my opportunity I’ll be world champion, and that's exactly what has happened - I knew it!

"I said I'd bring the championship back to New York because you know 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, who brought a championship back home and competed.

"Things are different now, they have somebody they can really get behind and I’m so thankful to God that I’m that guy."

Mark Mothershaw

• Matchroom
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