Richardson Hitchins says he wants Devin Haney next for his first defense of his IBF light welterweight title which he captured on Saturday night against champion Liam Paro. Hitchins (19-0, 7 KOs) claims Haney told him he would fight if he captured a belt.
(Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom)
One obstacle that could prevent Haney from fighting Hitchins is the IBF’s 10lb rehydration limit. He had to keep his weight no higher than 150 overnight after weighing in for secondary weight on the morning of the fight.
If Devin needs to rehydrate at 165, the IBF’s rehydration clause will prevent him. Therefore, he will refuse the fight with Hitchins.
Haney (31-0, 15 KOs) does not have a fight lined up after losing to Ryan Garcia earlier this year on April 20th. Since last 7 1/2 months, it has been inactive.
Will Haney respond?
“Any of the champions want to fight. Haney said that if I have a belt, he will beat me. So, let’s do it,” said Richardson Hitchins to the media following his victory over IBF welterweight champion Liam Paro on Saturday night.
“I’m ready for any of the main names. I want the biggest fight in boxing. It’s time to secure my legacy. Secure my family, and make the biggest fights.”
Hitchins schooled IBF welterweight champion Paro (25-1, 15 KOs), beating him by a 12-round unanimous decision at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The results were 116-112, 116-112 for Hitchins, and 117-111 for Paro.
Paro’s fans feel he made a mistake by agreeing to fight Hitchins on neutral turf rather than insisting, like the champion, to stage the fight in his native Australia to get the edge with the fans and the scoring of the contest.
It might not have made a difference because Paro was so far from her class that it might not have mattered if the judges were from Australia.
