Aussie Liam Paro has been handed the first loss of his career in a brutal split decision loss to Richardson Hitchens, relinquishing his IBF junior welterweight world title in Puerto Rico.
Despite a strong start from the Aussie champion, where even Hitchens’ corner thought Paro had won the first four rounds, the Brooklyn-native took over with commentators and fans believing it was a comfortable result in the end.
BOXING: INOUE VS GOODMAN | TUE 24 DEC 7PM AEDT | Australia’s Sam Goodman is set for a blockbuster Christmas Eve fight against undefeated Naoya ‘The Monster’ Inoue in Tokyo | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
Enter the judges.
As every boxing fan knows with some absolutely bizarre scorecards in recent memory, the judges can be an absolute crapshoot.
And this was no different with Nelson Vazquez’s scorecard coming out 117-111 to Paro.
Paro, who had appeared very nervous after the final bell while Hitchens celebrated, had an arm up but looked anything but convincing.
However, the other two cards both went 116-112 to Hitchens, with the American crowned boxing’s newest world champion.
Hitchens went berserk in the ring, falling to the canvas and seemingly in disbelief of what he had just achieved.
But the boxing world was once again baffled by yet another horrible scorecard.
“117-111 for Paro is an unfathomable scorecard,” DAZN commentator Corey Erdman said
“Yeah man, that was terrible. You’ve got to find that (judge) and fine him because that was terrible,” former WBC junior middleweight champion Sergio Mora added.
They weren’t alone as social media erupted over the decision.
Boxing reporter Francisco A. Salazar posted: “Nelson Vazquez was the judge who submitted the 117-111 scorecard for Paro. That is one of the more egregious scorecards ever submitted. In a perfect world, Nelson Vazquez never judges a significant fight until he explains this scorecard.”
Three-weight world champion Shakur Stevenson tweeted: “Bro whoever scored 117-111 Paro need to never score a boxing match every again! That was the wildest scorecard I ever seen in my life!!!”
Professional sports bettor Kevin Dolan wrote: “117-111 Paro? Dude, should be shot straight out of a James Bond style ejector chair for that card. Thankfully not enough to derail our 4% play on Hitchins ML.”
Fox’s Mark Ortega added: “Nelson Vazquez scored #ParoHitchins 117-111 for Liam Paro. Indefensible scorecard. Don’t forget he scored Charlo-Castaño 1 as 117-111 for Charlo. He also scored Apochi-Glanton for Apochi. Favours A-sides way too much. He should be suspended.”
Another fan wrote: “Did a judge score that fight 117-111 Paro!? That might be the worst scorecard in the history of boxing. Fire that MF immediately.”
The All Out Boxing account added: “117-111 for Paro is a terrible scorecard.”
Other social media users questioned whether it could be corruption, with one user writing: “Nobody is that bad at their job.”
Even Sport Illustrated’s Chris Mannix kicked off the in-ring interview asking about scorecard that went for Paro.
“117-111 against you is one of the most embarrassing scorecards in modern boxing,” he said.
When asked about the emotion after a wild celebration that saw the 27-year-old slump to his knees in disbelief, he said it was a huge relief.
“Honestly, I was just hoping they didn’t going to rob me,” Hitchins said.
“I’m just happy to become a world champion. I’m lost for words.”
Paro was humble in defeat, congratulating Hitchins as “a hell of a fighter”.
Paro said he had “no excuses”, saying he had both a good camp but it didn’t come off on the night.
The Aussie added he and his team would go “back to the drawing board”, saying it’s “not a loss, it’s a lesson”, adding “I’ll be back”.
Matchroom Boxing head honcho Eddie Hearn said while he thought Paro had a great start, from the fifth onwards, the momentum shifted completely in the other direction.
“That’s how I saw it — 8-4, 7-5 at best to Richardson,” Hearn said.
“I don’t know what Nelson Vazquez is up to wherever he is. But that’s an absolute rascal. The right man got the decision.”
As for what’s next for the new champion?
“I want Teofimo (Lopez) in New York, Brooklyn, unification,” Hitchins said. “I think that would be one of the biggest fights of 2025. A very lucrative fight, a very big fight.
“I don’t belong in the ring with anyone but the best.”
Lopez is the WBO junior welterweight and Ring Magazine champion.
As for Paro, while he’s going back to the drawing board, it’ll be interesting to see if his much-vaunted all-Aussie blockbuster with George Kambosos Jr. is still on the table.
Discussion about this post