Richardson Hitchins and George Kambosos Jr clashed in a fiery face-off at the iconic Empire State Building in the heart of the Big Apple, and the pair traded verbal blows in stormy conditions, a sign of things to come when the step through the ropes at MSG on Saturday night, live worldwide on DAZN. (photos by Geoffey Knott)

New Yorker Hitchins (19-0 7 KOs) defends his title for the first time after ripping the title from Kambosos Jr’s fellow Australian Liam Paro in Puerto Rico in December in a career-best performance, and the unbeaten champion now looks to show his fellow champions at 140lbs that he’s coming for their titles next by defeating Kambosos Jr.

Kambosos Jr. (22-3 10 KOs) returns to the scene of his greatest night as he looks to become a two-time and two-weight World ruler against Hitchins, stepping back through the ropes in the vaunted Manhattan venue where he became the king at 135lbs by stunning Teofimo Lopez in November 2021. ‘Ferocious’ returned Down Under where he twice met Devin Haney in Melbourne before welcoming Vasiliy Lomachenko to Perth, with a victory over Maxi Hughes in Oklahoma. The 31 year old claimed the 22nd win of his pro career in March against Jake Wyllie in Sydney and will look to become a two-time World ruler against Hitchins.