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Eddie Hearn now has a clear path to making a unification fight between IBF 140-pound champion Richardson Hitchins and WBO champion Teofimo Lopez. Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis has decided that he does not wish to face Teofimo in the defense of the IBF welterweight title. He says he would prefer to focus on unifying at 147.
Hitchins against Teofimo: a realistic confrontation
Matchroom promoter Hearn should contact Bob Arum, Teofimo’s boss at Top Rank, and try to negotiate a fight. It’s the best fight available for Teofimo (21-1, 13 KOs) because he won’t get the fight with Terence Crawford he’s been asking for.
Hitchins (19-0, 7 KOs) captured the IBF 140-pound title with a 12-round split decision victory over Liam Paro this past Saturday night at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The Hitchins promoted by Eddie Hearn looked excellent, beating Paro by scores 116-112, 116-112 for Paro and 117-111 for Paro.
Teofimo would have to want the fight with Hitchins because he can choose not to accept the fight if he feels it will be difficult or a fight he could lose.
“He said he loves Teófimo López. That’s a pretty big fight in New York City. Teófimo and Hitchins are New Yorkers, both 140-pound champions,” said Chris Mannix in YouTube. “I think Teofimo-Hitchins is a much more realistic fight (than Jaron Ennis vs. Teofimo).
“I think that’s a fight that Top Rank could put together financially. Teofimo is obviously the A-side in a fight like that. He would get most of the money and billing from the A-side. Although Hitchins owns the title, he is not that expensive.
“You can fight Teofimo 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, like Paro and Hitchins. Teófimo is more of a guy who shows up. Hitchins is more of a classic boxer.
Obviously it’s not the massive fight Teofimo wants against Jaron Boots Ennis, Devin Haney, Ryan Garcia or Crawford, but it’s the best it can be for him.
“Who wins? Teofimo has much more pop than Liam Paro. That’s a very interesting fight at 140. That’s a fight I want to see Teofimo win. Not something like Boots Ennis,” Mannix said.
“Hitchins, no one gives him credit for his power, but I do. I could hear it and I could see it. “He doesn’t bet on combinations,” said Sergio Mora. “The shooting. You could hear and you could see the respect he gets from his opponents. I could see it on Paro’s face after the second half of the fight. “He was a defeated fighter.”
