Richardson Hitchins is still laying down the groundwork for what he believes will be a Hall of Fame worthy career. While he’s shown hubris, Hitchins has dominated every single fighter that’s stood across the ring from him.
At this point, the 25-year-old former Olympian is begging and pleading with the rest of the 140-pound division to step up to the plate and give him a real fight.
Regis Prograis? The current WBC titlist, Hitchins yawns when his name is mentioned. Teofimo Lopez? The recently unretired WBO champion, Hitchins believes he’s nothing more than easy work. According to the highly ranked contender, none of the super lightweights elite are capable of pushing him. There is, however, a certain 135-pound undisputed champion who’s likely to move up in weight, that has convinced Hitchins that he’s the closest to his level.
“Me and Devin Haney,” said Hitchins on Instagram Live. “That’s the fight. Me and Devin is the fight at 140.”
Since defending his undisputed lightweight titles against Vasiliy Lomachenko, Haney (30-0, 15 KOs) has a ton of options at his disposal. Maybe even too much. At 135 pounds, Lomachenko, Shakur Stevenson, Frank Martin, and a long list of hotshot contenders are all clamoring to face Haney next. Rather than simply stick around and cut a ridiculous amount of weight, Bill Haney, Devin’s father and trainer, recently revealed that his son is eyeing a move up in weight with Prograis being the first on his Hitlist.
Those very words are music to the ears of Hitchins. Although he’s confident in his ability to beat Haney, Hitchins knows good and well just how talented the 24-year-old is. Now, with Haney seemingly switching weight classes, Hitchins is hoping that the two will officially meet up in the center of the ring sooner rather than later. When the time comes, all that he asks is that there are plenty of zeros at the end of his paycheck.
“Get the check right, get the date and I’m pulling up.”