Eddie Hearn has a clear path to a unification fight between IBF 140-lb champion Richardson Hitchins and WBO champion Teofimo Lopez. Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis has decided that he does not want to face Teofimo in defense of the IBF welterweight belt. He says he’d rather focus on combining 147.
Hitchins vs. Teofimo: A Reality Game
Matchroom promoter Hearn should contact Bob Arum, Teofimo’s manager at Top Rank, and try to negotiate a fight. The best competition there is for Teofimo (21-1, 13 KOs) because he won’t get the Terence Crawford match he’s been asking for.
Hitchins (19-0, 7 KOs) captured the IBF 140-lb title with a 12-round split decision over Liam Paro last Saturday night at the Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Hitchins promoted by Eddie Hearn looked very good, defeating Paro with scores of 116-112, 116-112 for Paro, and 117-111 for Paro.
Teofimo will have to seek a fight with Hitchins because he may choose not to take the match if he sees that it will be difficult or that he may lose the fight.
“He said he was looking for Teofimo Lopez. That’s the biggest fight in New York City. Teofimo and Hitchins are both New Yorkers, both champions at 140 lbs,” said Chris Mannix on YouTube. “I think Teofimo-Hitchins is a very logical fight [than Jaron Ennis vs. Teofimo].
“I think that is the battle that Top Rank is fighting financially. Obviously Teofimo is the A side in such a fight. He would get most of the money, and he would get the payment for the A-side. Although Hitchins holds the title, he is not cheap.
“You can fight with Teofimo and Hitchins. Put it on ESPN. If they don’t want to put it on ESPN, Eddie Hearn can put it on DAZN. That fight makes a lot of sense. That’s an interesting clash of styles, like Paro and Hitchin. Teofimo is an excellent host. Hitchins is a former boxer.
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.
“Who is successful? Teofimo has more pop than Liam Paro. That’s the most exciting fight at 140. That is the fight I want to see Teofimo win. “Not like Boot Ennis,” Mannix said.
“Hitchins, no one gives him credit for his strength, but I do. I could feel it, and I could see it. He doesn’t commit to combines,” said Sergio Mora. .”
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