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Eddie Hearn now has a clear path to the next unification fight between IBF 140lb champion Richardson Hitchins and WBO champion Teofimo Lopez. Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis has decided that he does not want to face Teofim in the title defense of his IBF light heavyweight belt. He says he’d rather focus on unification at 147.
Hitchins vs. Teofim: A realistic match
Matchroom promoter Hearn should contact Bob Arum, Teofimo’s boss at Top Rank, and try to arrange a fight. It’s the best available contest for Teofim (21-1, 13 KOs) as he won’t get the Terence Crawford fight he’s been looking for.
Hitchins (19-0, 7 KOs) captured the IBF 140 lb title with a 12 round split decision victory over Liam Parr last Saturday night at Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Eddie Hearn-promoted Hitchins looked superb, beating Paro 116-112, 116-112 for Paro and 117-111 for Paro.
Teofimo would have to want a fight with Hitchins as he could decide not to accept the fight if he feels it will be difficult or if he could lose the fight.
“He said he wanted Teofimo Lopez. It’s a pretty big fight in New York. Teofimo and Hitchins are New Yorkers, both champions at 140 lbs,” said Chris Mannix on YouTube. “I think Teofimo-Hitchins is a much more realistic fight (than Jaron Ennis vs. Teofimo).
“I think it’s a fight that Top Rank could financially organize. Teofimo is clearly the A side in such a fight. He would get the bulk of the money and get the A-side billing. Although Hitchins is the title holder, it is not that expensive.
“You can fight Teofim and Hitchins. Put it on ESPN. If they don’t want to put it on ESPN, Eddie Hearn could put it on DAZN. That fight makes a lot more sense. It’s an interesting clash of styles, just like Paro and Hitchins. Teofimo is the guy who comes forward more. Hitchins is more of a classic boxer.
It’s obviously not the big fight Teofimo wants against Jaron Boots Ennis, Devin Haney, Ryan Garcia or Crawford, but it’s as good as it gets for him.
“Who wins? Teofimo has a lot more pop than Liam Parr. It’s a very interesting fight at 140. It’s a fight I want to see Teofimo win. Not something like Boots Ennis,” Mannix said.
“Hitchins, nobody gives him credit for his power, but I do. I could hear it and see it. He does not commit to combinations,” said Sergio Mora. “Shooting the pot. You could hear it and you could see the respect he was getting from his opponents. I could see it on Par’s face after the second half of the fight. He was a defeated fighter.”
