Richardson Hitchins vs George Kambosos Jr Keys to Victory: Breaking down tactics of each fighter

Richardson Hitchins had an eye-opening victory over previously undefeated Liam Paro in December to snatch the IBF super lightweight world championship, now he steps up again on Saturday night.

To record his first title defense, Hitchins will put the championship on the line against former unified lightweight champ George Kambosos Jr. at The Theater at Madison Square Garden, and  live worldwide on DAZN.

A statement win and Hitchins could possibly unlock bigger fights in the near future .

Will Hitchins, a Brooklyn native, be successful in his homecoming fight? Or will Kambosos pull off the upset?

With the stakes high, DAZN News analyzes the keys to victory for both the champion and challenger.

Richardson Hitchins’ Keys to Victory

Assert the power jab early

Hitchins' power jab has speed and pop to it.

Once he is able to establish it, he tends to command ring real estate and dictate the pace of the fight.

Plus, it serves as his conduit for the remainder of his offense to flow through.

Disguise the hook as a jab

The newly-crowned champ has the ability to flick out the jab, looking every bit like a normal jab, only to turn it into a compact hook at the last second.

He is particularly good doing this with his left, range-finding jab.

While these hooks are glancing in action, Hitchins can make them blunt shots as well.

Over time, these kinds of blows take their toll.

Overwhelm with the right hand

The likes of Vasiliy Lomachenko and Devin Haney (twice) have shown that there is a green light that seemingly never turns red for the right hand against Kambosos.

After establishing the jab and piecing together those hooks, Hitchins would be wise to end his combinations with stinging rights, forcing Kambosos to adjust.

If the latter does not happen, the Australian will be eating a buffet of punches courtesy of Hitchins’ home cooking.

George Kambosos Jr’s Keys to Victory

Make concerted deposits to the body

Kambosos rips the body savagely with crunching shots.

If the scrappy Australian fighter could slip under Hitchins’ jab and work his way inside, some of these clubbing shots to the body should go long ways to softening the champ up enough for him to lower his arms.

That could set up something more damaging upstairs for Kambosos.

Launch the overhand right

Especially if he has success to the body, Kambosos could use that attack to not only slow Hitchins down but also to divert his attention.

He does the latter enough and it could serve as the opportune trigger point for Kambosos to let go of his overhand right.

This shot has whiplashing motion to it and can catch any fighter by surprise if it is timed well, especially as a counter.

The overhand right dropped Teofimo Lopez and Kambosos would like nothing more than to launch it toward Hitchins tasting the canvas, too.

Dirty up the fight

The more Kambosos dirties up this fight, the better he might fare.

That could mean everything from resorting to the clinch, punching in the clinch, and pushing off.

All these fighting tactics could force Hitchins to reset, frustrating the newly-crowned champion along the way.

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