Devin Haney’s reaction to Richardson Hitchins’ controversial victory over Gustavo Lemos has stirred up a lot of controversy in the boxing world. The 12-round unanimous decision in the IBF light welterweight title eliminator left many fans and analysts scratching their heads as to how Hitchins managed to secure the win.
Hitchins’ strategy of excessive clinching and running throughout the fight was the focal point of Haney’s criticism. The emoji Haney posted on social media, depicting a person covering their eyes, perfectly encapsulated the frustration felt by many who witnessed the trainwreck-level performance by Hitchins.
Despite Hitchins’ lackluster performance, the judges surprisingly handed him the victory with scores of 117-111, 115-113, and 115-113. Many spectators felt that Hitchins should have been disqualified for his continuous holding tactics, which prevented Lemos from mounting any significant offense. The decision to give Hitchins the win raised eyebrows and led to accusations of biased judging.
It was evident to viewers that Hitchins had meticulously trained to employ this strategy of tying up his opponent throughout the fight. His constant holding after throwing a punch was not just a tactic but a well-thought-out plan to neutralize Lemos’ offense. This calculated approach, however, crossed the line into cheating territory, as Hitchins went above and beyond in his excessive clinching.
Eddie Hearn’s Defense
Promoter Eddie Hearn’s defense of his fighter’s victory only added to the confusion surrounding the decision. Hearn attempted to justify the judges’ scorecards by claiming that Richardson Hitchins had displayed cleaner work and control over the fight. However, his explanation fell short in addressing the blatant excessive clinching and running tactics employed by Hitchins.
Hearn’s comments seemed to overlook the fact that Hitchins spent most of the fight evading his opponent and resorting to holding tactics rather than engaging in meaningful exchanges. The baffling defense put forth by Hearn only served to further highlight the questionable nature of the victory and the tactics employed by Hitchins in the ring.
Devin Haney’s reaction to Richardson Hitchins’ victory sheds light on the darker side of boxing, where questionable tactics and controversial judging can overshadow the true essence of the sport. The art of clinching and running displayed by Hitchins raises important questions about sportsmanship and fair play in the ring.
Moving forward, it is essential for the boxing community to critically analyze such instances and hold fighters and judges accountable for their actions. By maintaining a high standard of integrity and fairness in the sport, we can ensure that victories are earned through skill and determination rather than dubious tactics and biased decisions.