Comments Thread For: Chris Algieri?s School of Thought: Richardson Hitchins can emulate Devin Haney

[BoxingUpdates]

As he prepares to make the first defence of his IBF junior-welterweight title, the world?s still waiting to see how good Richardson Hitchins really is...
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[BlackRobb]

After tonight, if Hitchins doesn't face Matias, we'll know he's scared.

[factsarenice]

After tonight, if Hitchins doesn't face Matias, we'll know he's scared.

But that's assuming Matias will even exercise his mandatory, let's see if he even wants the fight at all. Hitchins calls Matias easy work.

[kiaba360]

After tonight, if Hitchins doesn't face Matias, we'll know he's scared.

Matias does have to get through Puello first. But I do agree with your overall sentiment because Hitchins seemed hesitant when Matias had the IBF title.

[BlackRobb]

Matias does have to get through Puello first. But I do agree with your overall sentiment because Hitchins seemed hesitant when Matias had the IBF title.0

Matias was foolish for taking the Puello fight. He should have just waited out his IBF mandatory shot. I don't see him beating Puello.

[BlackRobb]

But that's assuming Matias will even exercise his mandatory, let's see if he even wants the fight at all. Hitchins calls Matias easy work.

If Matias was easy work, Rich would have fought him when he was his mandatory. Instead, he fell back and Paro (#2) got the shot.

[kiaba360]

Matias was foolish for taking the Puello fight. He should have just waited out his IBF mandatory shot. I don't see him beating Puello.

I think Puello will be great preparation for Hitchins, and it's also a title shot. Matias doesn't have the luxury to be passing up good fights and title shots like more privileged fighters do. I hope he gets through Puello.

[BlackRobb]

I think Puello will be great preparation for Hitchins, and it's also a title shot. Matias doesn't have the luxury to be passing up good fights and title shots like more privileged fighters do. I hope he gets through Puello.

Puello has an aggressive style that incorporates responsible boxing too. Very tough fight for Matias.

[kiaba360]

Puello has an aggressive style that incorporates responsible boxing too. Very tough fight for Matias.

What makes the fight particularly difficult for Matias is his footwork. A great pressure fighter has good feet to keep up with his opponent, which I think Matias sorely lacks. Actually, it's Puello's aggression that gives Matias a chance. What makes Matias dangerous is that he is truly relentless....and if Puello doesn't find the correct balance between offense/defense, he'll find himself exchanging with Matias a bit too much to the point where he'll start fighting Matias' fight. Matias/Puello is a tough but winnable fight for both.

[BlackRobb]

What makes the fight particularly difficult for Matias is his footwork. A great pressure fighter has good feet to keep up with his opponent, which I think Matias sorely lacks. Actually, it's Puello's aggression that gives Matias a chance. What makes Matias dangerous is that he is truly relentless....and if Puello doesn't find the correct balance between offense/defense, he'll find himself exchanging with Matias a bit too much to the point where he'll start fighting Matias' fight. Matias/Puello is a tough but winnable fight for both.

I agree except for one thing...Puello stood in the pocket with Gary Antjuan Russell and Akhmedov, and boxed fairly evenly with Sandor Martin. I doubt the power of Matias will faze Puello or what will be the determining factor in the fight. Also, as we saw in the Paro fight, Matias can be outboxed. Puello is clearly the superior technician. Very good fight. I lean Puello by 8-4 UD.