Hitchins vs Kambosos Jr. Fight Results: Hitchins Scores Vicious Body Shot KO (Video)

In the opening round, Hitchins was using his six-inch reach advantage to the fullest as he pumped the left jab into Kambosos’ face. Although Hitchins is historically a slow starter, he was active, which kept Kambosos from rushing in too much. In the second round, Hitchins’ left jab created a mouse quickly under the right eye of Kambosos. In rounds three and four, Hitchins kept pumping that left jab and keeping Kambosos at a distance.

In the fifth round, Hitchins landed a left hook to the chest that hurt Kambosos badly. Although Kambosos was hurt, Hitchins could not finish the job. Rounds six and seven it was all about the Hitchins’ left jab, and the frustration kept showing in Kambosos’ body language. In the eighth, the left hook to the body sent Kambosos crashing down and led to the conclusion of the fight.

Hitchins announced that he is a free agent during the post-fight in-ring interview, which allows him to face some of the other champions in the division without promotional politics getting in the way. We’ll see if Hitchins lands a big unification fight next.

Andy Cruz vs. Hironori Mishiro Fight Results: Cruz Dazzles in NYC (Video)

Lightweight contender Andy Cruz (6-0, 3 KOs) showed he is more than ready for an IBF title shot as he dominated Hironori Mishiro (17-2-1, 6 KOs) in the co-main.

Cruz scored a fifth-round TKO as Mishiro could not defend against the overhand right. The referee had to step in to save Mishiro from getting more hurt than he already was. Cruz is now the mandatory for the champion Raymond Muratalla.

In the opening round, Cruz dictated the pace immediately with his left jab and good movement. Mishiro ate the left jabs and didn’t throw much, but when he threw the overhand right, it landed and made Cruz stumble back a bit. Cruz began to turn up the volume in the second round as the combinations were landing cleanly, and Mishiro was having a hard time picking up the punches from Cruz.

The third round was when Cruz began to shine bright as he first landed an overhand right to score the fight’s first knockdown. Then, after Mishiro got up, Cruz jumped all over him, but Mishiro landed a big right hand that caused Cruz to reset. Once he did, Cruz landed another overhand right hand with about two seconds remaining in the round sending Mishiro down for the second time in the fight. Mishiro beat the count and was able to finish the round.

The fourth round was more of Cruz dominating, but in the fifth, he saw that Mishiro was giving him the lane for the overhand right, so he kept throwing it. Mishiro stumbled back after taking consecutive right hands, and the referee decided he had seen enough. Cruz can now look ahead to the much-desired title fight.