American champion set to make defence against dangerous Mexican contender.
When Richardson Hitchins beat Jose Zepeda in 2023, it made many start to take notice of what was surely the next great American fighter.
Hitchins showcased all the skills we’ve come to expect from top-level boxers from the United States, and more of the same was expected to follow in his next performances.
That’s why his showing against Gustavo Lemos was so unexpected.
Lemos was a rugged, gritty Argentinian, but Hitchins was expected to showcase his silky moves and slick ability. However, the Brooklyn man quickly started to struggle with Lemos’s pressure and continued to do so throughout the fight, so much so that by the time it had ended, quite a number of observers thought Lemos had done enough to win.
Hitchins would win a somewhat unpopular decision, but it ultimately wouldn’t matter. In his next fight, Hitchins collected the scalp of the unbeaten Australian Liam Paro, winning the IBF super-lightweight title as a result.
He would defend this title against another Australian in George Kambosos Jr., stopping the former unified champion in eight.
Hitchins was scheduled to make a second defence against Mexico’s Oscar Duarte on the undercard of Ryan Garcia’s WBC welterweight title win over Mario Barrios, but was forced to pull out due to illness.
He now has another Mexican to deal with.
The IBF has officially ordered Hitchins (20-0, 8 KOs) to defend his 140-pound championship against Lindolfo Delgado (24-0, 16 KOs).
Delgado is a dangerous contender who has beaten the likes of Bryan Flores, Jackson Marinez, and most recently beat fellow Mexican Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela.
The respective parties of Hitchins and Delgado have been given 30 days to reach a deal for what will be a very tricky task for Hitchins’s next title defence.
Richardson Hitchins has been ordered to defend his IBF junior welterweight title against Lindolfo Delgado next, The Ring has learned đź“ť
The two sides have been given 30 days to agree a deal. If that doesn’t happen, a purse bid will be called.
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— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) February 25, 2026
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