At 25, Richardson Hitchins is one of Matchroom Boxing’s prized young talents. Working his way up the ladder, he faces one of his toughest tests in Jose Zepeda on September 23.
The fight airs on DAZN in the U.S. and is inside the Caribe Royale in Orlando.
Hitchins (16-0) has seven wins via knockout and has become a top attraction within IBF competition, ranked ninth at super lightweight. It will be his first time main eventing a show with several top stars. The Brooklyn-born Hitchins is ready to be the leading man he believed he could be when he started boxing.
“Now my foot is in the door, headlining my first show against someone who has a great name in the division,” Hitchins told Matchroom Boxing’s Flash Knockdown podcast. "It shows my pedigree and skills that I display to get to this part of the journey. Zepeda has competed on the world stage. It’s a level up from my previous opponents, but if I am who I believe I am, I should win this fight and possibly get him out of there."
WATCH: Richardson Hitchins vs. Jose Zepeda, live on DAZN
Zepeda (37-3) is a multi-time title contender. The 34-year-old lost against Terry Flanagan in 2015 for the vacant WBO lightweight title and Jose Ramirez in 2019 for the WBC super lightweight title. Facing Regis Prograis in 2022 for the WBC super lightweight belt, he lost via knockout. “Chon” rebounded in March with a win against Neeraj Goyat and is looking to get back into contention.
Outside the main event, women’s boxing takes center stage, young fighters aim to impress, and a controversial figure returns. Here’s a breakdown of the entire Hitchins vs. Zepeda undercard.
Richardson Hitchins vs. Jose Zepeda undercard
Conor Benn vs. Rodolfo Orozco
- Division/Weight: Super Welterweight
- Benn record: 21-0
- Orozco record: 32-3-3
- Belts at stake: N/A
The co-main event sees the return of Conor Benn against Rodolfo Orozco.
Benn (21-0) turned pro in 2016. "The Destroyer" beat the likes of Adrian Granados, Chris Algieri, and Chris van Heerden and was ready to face Chris Eubank Jr. in a super fight in 2022. However, Benn failed multiple drug tests after testing positive for clomifene. It was determined by the WBC the failed tests were a result of a “highly elevated consumption of eggs." VADA and the WBC’s Clean Boxing program wouldn’t allow him to compete. UKAD suspended Benn from competing in the U.K., while the Florida Boxing Commission accepted a Benn fight on three days' notice.
MORE: Conor Benn failed drugs tests, explained
“I am undefeated in the ring, and in spirit. A return on Saturday is a step closer to redemption," Benn said. "After that, I’m putting the 147-160 divisions on notice. You are looking at a determined man with a deep desire to beat them all."
Orozco (32-3-3) turned pro in 2015. The 24-year-old had a 16-fight unbeaten streak that started in 2018 snapped in 2022 against Isaias Lucero. He has won two in a row via TKO since, with his last bout against Elian Trejo Juarez in June.
Jessica McCaskill vs. Sandy Ryan
- Division/Weight: Welterweight
- McCaskill record: 12-3
- Ryan record: 6-1
- Belts at stake: WBA, WBC, and WBO welterweight titles
The only championship fight on the card will be Jessica McCaskill vs. Sandy Ryan in a welterweight title unification fight.
A 2010 Golden Gloves winner, McCaskill (12-3) turned pro in 2015. Losing against Katie Taylor in 2017 for the WBA lightweight belt, “CasKILLA" went on a seven-fight win streak, winning super lightweight gold. She beat Cecilia Braekhus to become the undisputed welterweight champion in 2020 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In 2022, McCaskill lost against Chantelle Cameron to determine the undisputed super lightweight champion, losing a few welterweight titles due to governing body rules.
A 2014 World Championships silver medalist, Ryan (6-1) turned pro in 2021. Losing her fourth pro fight against Erica Farias, Ryan has gone on a three-fight win streak, avenging the Farias defeat before beating Marie Houle for the WBO welterweight title in April.
MORE: Who has competed in a 12 three-minute round women’s boxing fight?
Austin Williams vs. Steve Rolls
- Division/Weight: Middleweight
- Williams record: 14-0
- Rolls record: 22-2
- Belts at stake: N/A
In middleweight action, Austin Williams faces Steve Rolls.
Williams (14-0) turned pro in 2019. "Ammo" has 10 wins via knockout, winning his previous bout in April against River Wilson-Bent via the power punch.
An AIBA Men’s Boxing Championship competitor, Rolls (22-2) turned pro in 2011. The Canadian beat Steed Woodall for the NABF junior middleweight title in 2015. In 2019, he lost against Gennadiy Golovkin and has gone 3-1 since. After losing to Edgar Berlanga in March 2022, Rolls recovered to beat Shady Gamhour in July last year.
Orestes Velazquez vs. Mohamed Soumaoro
- Division/Weight: Super Lightweight
- Velazquez record: 7-0
- Soumaoro record: 13-1
- Belts at stake: N/A
Further down the card is Orestes Velazquez vs. Mohamed Soumaoro.
Velazquez (7-0) turned pro in 2020. The 30-year-old has six wins via knockout. His previous bout was a unanimous decision win against Marcelino Lopez in March.
Soumaoro (13-1) turned pro in 2017. Suffering his first loss against Elysson Marquez in 2020, "The Black Buffalo" has won three in a row since. His most recent bout was a TKO win against Anfel Lupercio in March.
MORE: This is why Crawford-Spence 2 makes sense despite lopsided first fight
Khalil Coe vs. Kenmon Evans
- Division/Weight: Light Heavyweight
- Coe record: 6-0-1
- Evans record: 10-1-1
- Belts at stake: N/A
Khalil Coe faces Kenmon Evans.
Coe (6-0-1) turned pro in 2021 and has won four fights via KO. "Big Steppa" last fought in June, beating Buneet Bisla via TKO.
Evans (10-1-1) turned pro in 2015. The 31-year-old is 1-1 in 2023, beating Cleotis Pendarvis via a unanimous decision scoring in January but losing against Clay Waterman in June.
Jasmine Artiga vs. Haley Pasion
- Division/Weight: Flyweight
- Artiga record: 10-0-1
- Pasion record: 2-4
- Belts at stake: N/A
Finally, Jasmine Artiga faces Haley Pasion.
Artiga (10-0-1) turned pro in 2017. "Animal" fought Myrka Aguayo to a draw in 2020 and has since won three in a row. Her most recent bout was a unanimous decision win against Ashley Sciscente in January.
Pasion (2-4) turned pro in 2014. She went 1-2 to start her career and, after a five-year absence from the sport, the 30-year-old has gone 1-2. The Hawaiian last fought in July, losing against Sulem Urbina.
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When is Richardson Hitchins vs. Jose Zepeda?
Hitchins vs. Zepeda is on September 23. The main card starts at 8 p.m. ET. Hitchins and Zepeda should make their way to the ring around 11:15 p.m. ET, depending on how long the undercard fights last.
| Region | Date | Main Card Start Time | Main Event Ring Walks (approx.) |
| USA and Canada (ET) | Saturday, September 23 | 8 p.m. ET | 11:15 p.m ET |
| USA and Canada (PT) | Saturday, September 23 | 5 p.m. PT | 8:15 p.m. PT |
| UK and Ireland | Sunday, September 24 | 1 a.m. BST | 4:15 a.m. BST |
| Australia | Sunday, September 24 | 10 a.m. AEST | 1:15 p.m. AEST |
How to watch Richardson Hitchins vs. Jose Zepeda
| Region | TV channel | Live streaming |
| USA | — | DAZN |
| Canada | — | DAZN |
| UK and Ireland | DAZN 1 HD | DAZN |
| Australia | — | DAZN |
WATCH: Richardson Hitchins vs. Jose Zepeda, live on DAZN
Now available as a Sky channel, DAZN 1 HD is exclusive to subscribers in the UK.
Richardson Hitchins vs. Jose Zepeda price: How much does fight cost?
- DAZN monthly subscription: $19.99 on a 12-month contract or $24.99 month-to-month in U.S./ $24.99 per month in Canada/ £9.99 in the U.K. on a 12-month contract, or £19.99 month-to-month/ 13.99 AUD in Australia
- DAZN annual subscription: $224.99 in the U.S., $199.99 in Canada, and £99.99 in the U.K.
