Richardson Hitchins Rises From Struggle to Matchroom Boxing Standout

The super lightweight prospect faces Oscar Duarte on Saturday after a dominant win over George Kambosos.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Richardson Hitchins, a Brooklyn native, overcame hardship growing up to become one of the top young boxers in the sport. After failing to qualify for the 2016 Olympics, Hitchins caught the eye of Floyd Mayweather and signed with Mayweather Promotions. Though the promotional company has slowed down, Hitchins has continued to rise, recently signing with Matchroom Boxing and scoring a dominant win over former lightweight champion George Kambosos. Now Hitchins faces Oscar Duarte as he looks to crack the pound-for-pound rankings.

Why it matters

Hitchins' story is an inspiring one, as he went from living in a shelter as a teenager to training with Floyd Mayweather and becoming one of the top young prospects in boxing. His success also highlights the current boom in American boxing talent, with several fighters like Devin Haney and David Benavidez cracking the pound-for-pound rankings.

The details

Hitchins, now 20-0 with 8 KOs, had a difficult upbringing in Brooklyn, living with his brother, mother and grandfather before they were evicted and ended up in a shelter. Despite the hardship, Hitchins pursued his boxing dreams, catching the eye of Floyd Mayweather, who flew him to Las Vegas and helped train him at the Mayweather Boxing Club. Though Hitchins didn't make the 2016 Olympics, he signed with Mayweather Promotions and has continued to develop, recently scoring a dominant win over former lightweight champion George Kambosos. Now he faces Oscar Duarte as he looks to crack the pound-for-pound rankings.

  • In 2016, Hitchins failed to qualify for the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
  • Mayweather first reached out to Hitchins at 3 a.m. when he was a teenager to offer him a private jet to train in Las Vegas.
  • Hitchins recently scored a dominant 8th round stoppage win over former lightweight champion George Kambosos.
  • Hitchins faces Oscar Duarte on Saturday, February 25, 2026 in Las Vegas.

The players

Richardson Hitchins

A 20-0 super lightweight prospect from Brooklyn, New York who overcame a difficult upbringing to become one of the top young boxers in the sport.

Floyd Mayweather

The legendary boxer who took an interest in Hitchins as a teenager, flying him to Las Vegas to train at his gym and eventually signing him to Mayweather Promotions.

Leonard Ellerbe

The former CEO of Mayweather Promotions who was high on Hitchins' potential from a young age.

George Kambosos

The former lineal lightweight champion who Hitchins dominated in an 8th round stoppage win, a statement victory for the rising prospect.

Oscar Duarte

Hitchins' upcoming opponent on February 25, 2026 in Las Vegas.

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What they’re saying

“[Ellerbe] had a great boxing eye. Ellerbe had been high on me since I was younger, and before Floyd even saw me, he said, 'They say you're the next guy.'”

— Richardson Hitchins (Uncrowned)

“Years later, somebody that worked with [Top Rank matchmaker] Brad Goodman said not signing me was one of the 'biggest regrets' in his life.”

— Richardson Hitchins (Uncrowned)

“It was definitely a statement. I displayed a lot of skills, power and just the sweet science of it. I dismantled him and I broke him down, battered him and beat him up.”

— Richardson Hitchins (Uncrowned)

What’s next

If Hitchins beats Duarte on Saturday, he may only be a few fights away from cracking the pound-for-pound rankings alongside other top American fighters like Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez, Devin Haney and David Benavidez.

The takeaway

Hitchins' inspiring journey from a Brooklyn 'struggle' to becoming one of boxing's top young prospects under the tutelage of Floyd Mayweather shows the power of perseverance and the current boom in American boxing talent. His dominant win over George Kambosos validated Matchroom Boxing's bet on him, and a victory over Duarte could propel him into the pound-for-pound discussion.