Richardson Hitchins is coming up to one year out of the ring after defeating George Kambosos Jr in New York.
The latest big name to join Zuffa Boxing and Dana White is Richardson Hitchins (20-0, 8ko’s).
Brooklyn born, Hitchins has world class boxing pedigree.
Just weeks after signing with Zuffa, the 28 year old vacated his IBF super-lightweight world title.
A move to 147lbs is next for Hitchins, but the question is, what direction will he move in?
Signing with Zuffa Boxing naturally causes uncertainty.
Initially, Zuffa intended to disregard all governing bodies, to create a league system similar to the UFC model that has provided so much success for TKO in mixed martial arts.
4 months into 2026, this is likely proving harder than expected, as fighters understandably want to fight for the legacy defining titles.
Jai Opetaia’s first fight week under the Zuffa banner was nothing but chaos between the promotion and the IBF, who eventually stripped the Aussie of his cruiserweight world title.
Speaking on the future to Inside The Ring, Hitchins stated:
“I feel like Zuffa is going to take over the sport of boxing,”.
“Having Dana White, Nick Khan and having so much power, we know Zuffa is coming with a lot of money behind them”.
“Dana White did a lot of great things with the UFC and when I kind of sat down and was in negotiations, I just wanted to know that I’m gonna have a promoter that’s going to believe in me”.
“And sell me to the world and let the world know that this is America’s next best thing, this is one of America’s best fighters”.
“Right now, I think it’s the perfect time in my career [to move up in weight].
“Everybody ask me, every time I walk the street, ‘what’s up with you and Keyshawn Davis?”
“He’s a tremendous young fighter, I’m a tremendous young fighter, we both are in our primes and that is a fight that the fans could expect [to see] in the upcoming year, or you never know how it will play out”.
Could it be for a world title in the future at 147, or will it be a major fight for Zuffa and their own belt?
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