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‘If Devin Doesn’t Vacate the WBC Title’: Eddie Hearn Discusses What’s Next for Richardson Hitchins
‘If Devin Doesn’t Vacate the WBC Title’: Eddie Hearn Discusses What’s Next for Richardson Hitchins
Richardson Hitchins (18-0, 7 KOs) is soon due a world title shot after winning against Gustavo Lemos (29-1, 19 KOs) on Saturday.
Hitchins won a unanimous decision in the main event of a Matchroom Boxing card at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas. While scoring of the fight generated controversy, the win now puts the American in line to challenge for the IBF super lightweight belt. As is customary following a bout, attention turns towards potential future bouts. Big Fight Weekend takes a look at what is next for Hitchins.
What is Next for Richardson Hitchins?
Winner of Subriel Matías vs. Liam Paro
Subriel Matías (20-1, 20 KOs) currently holds the IBF super lightweight title. He set to defend it on June 15 on a Matchroom Boxing card in Puerto Rico against Liam Paro (24-0, 15 KOs). The winner of this fight will have to face Hitchins, whose bout with Lemos was an IBF eliminator, or risk losing their belt. Matías is the favourite against Paro, so one could expect to see him take on Hitchins later this year.
Read More: Five Things We Learnt From the Richardson Hitchins vs. Gustavo Lemos Card
A fight with Matías presents an interesting clash of styles. While Hitchins prefers to outbox fighters at range, the power of the Puerto Rican means opponents are unable to make it to the final bell. However, Matías will need to beat Paro for such a matchup to happen.
Eddie Hearn Confirms Matchup
In an interview posted on the Matchroom Boxing YouTube channel, promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed that such a fight was next for Hitchins.
“If Devin [Haney] doesn’t vacate the WBC title, then he has to fight the winner of Matías against Paro because he’s [Hitchins] has got a shot at a world title.”
While Hearn spoke of a clash between Matías and Hitchins, it will be some time before an official announcement is possible. Whether the bout actually takes place in the end remains to be seen. For now, fight fans can only look forward to Matías-Paro in Puerto Rico.
Currently writing out of Toronto, Canada, Saadeq first became a boxing fan while living in Doha, Qatar. Looking to become more involved in the sport, he began writing about boxing and has had work published in outlets such as Seconds Out and Boxing Social. He looks forward to continue covering boxing on Big Fight Weekend.
