Hitchins Teases ‘Fight Date Soon’ Amid Free-Agency Drama

Richardson Hitchins revealed on social media that he has a “battle date coming quickly.” This will likely be for the following title protection for Hitchins’ IBF gentle welterweight belt.

Nonetheless No Lopez. Nonetheless No Buzz

It’s not anticipated to be a unification match that Hitchins (20-0, 8 KOs) wished in opposition to  WBO 140-lb champion Teofimo Lopez, or a conflict in opposition to Devin Haney. These profitable fights are more likely to stay elusive for the Brooklyn, New York native, Hitchins. Teofimo has been the massive prize that Hitchins has been pursuing with out success.

Battle Date coming quickly 🙏🏾

— Richardson Hitchins (@HeIsRichardson) October 17, 2025

At finest, Richardson may be capable of get one among these contenders at 140:

Gabriel Valenzuela
Kenneth Sims
Jamaine Ortiz
Oscar Duarte

Free Company Backfire

Hitchins desires the massive names that can enhance his fame, however these guys aren’t it. He referred to as out Devin Haney just lately, however there’s been no curiosity from his aspect. The issue is, Richardson is combating within the mistaken division at 140, lacks a crowd-pleasing model, and isn’t standard sufficient to get the names he desires.

Richardson, 28, shot himself within the foot just lately, asserting his free company contained in the ring following his eighth-round knockout win final summer season on June 14th after knocking out the down-and-out veteran George Kambosos Jr within the eighth spherical at Madison Sq. Backyard in New York.

Hearn Received Burned

“I’m a free agent now,” mentioned Hitchins. The way in which he introduced it publicly blindsided his then promoter, Eddie Hearn, who had hopes of extending his contract with Matchroom. Shortly after that, it was revealed that Turki Alalshikh said he wouldn’t work with Hitchins except he have been related with Matchroom.

In reacting to Hitchins’ inside-the-ring free company announcement, Hearn later mentioned, “I did really feel disrespected. It’s not him [Hitchins], it’s the canine round him—snakes and bloodsuckers taking cuts with out the danger.”

Hitchins’ Six-Battle Matchroom Run

George Kambosos Jr.
Liam Paro
Gustavo Lemos
Jose Zepeda
John Bauza
Yomar Alamo

Woods’ Viewpoint: Ought to’ve Stayed with Hearn

In hindsight, Hitchins ought to have re-signed with Hearn, as a result of he would have had a greater probability of getting the fights that he wished with him. Within the six fights that Hitchins had with Matchroom, he was steered right into a world title shot.

With out Hearn, it’s questionable whether or not Hitchins would have ever gotten the prospect to problem for a world title in opposition to IBF 140-lb champion Liam Paro on December 7, 2024. Richardson would nonetheless be only a contender.

Written by Ken Woods, Ringside Boxing Analyst, overlaying world title fights since 2018.