Richardson Hitchins Signs Promotional Pact With Matchroom Boxing

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Press Release

Richardson Hitchins has signed a multi-fight promotional deal with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom.

Hitchins (14-0 6 KOs) has cruised to 14-0 in the paid ranks since turning professional in March 2017 after representing Haiti in the 2016 Olympics and secured his sixth stoppage win in his last outing, dismissing Angel Rodriguez inside four rounds to add to impressive ten round victories over Malik Hawkins and former World champion Argenis Mendez.

The Brooklyn talent, who turned 25 on Monday, is ready to crash into the top ten rankings at Super-Lightweight, and Matchroom will announce his first title fight tomorrow as Hitchins prepares to step up his pursuit of major belts and blockbuster nights.

“I couldn’t be more excited about this opportunity to join the Matchroom stable,” said Hitchins. “I believe that I am the best 140 pounder in the world, and Eddie is going to give me the opportunity to prove that.

“There are big fights and big nights ahead for me in my career, and this is my time to shine. I plan on putting the 140lbs division on notice immediately. I want all the smoke. I’m coming for the belts.”

“I’m delighted to welcome Richardson to the team,” said Hearn. “There is no doubt in my mind that Richardson can become a World champion at 140lbs and beyond that, but the journey starts soon with a first fight under the Matchroom banner to be announced tomorrow.

“I want to keep Richardson busy, get him climbing the rankings and he’ll soon be knocking on the door for those belts – and he can crash through the door and become a star.”

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[Manrae]

Great talent, hope he gets some fights soon

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Hearn taking talents away from Ellerbe haha

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They’ve mended their relationship.

Marriage back on. Haha

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Richardson Hitchins and Keyshawn Davis hype up prospective 2026 clash

Richardson Hitchins says he’s willing to defend his belt against Keyshawn Davis.



During today’s kickoff presser for Teofimo Lopez vs Shakur Stevenson, two other fighters around their weight class were in attendance and ended up engaging in some full-length banter for the cameras. Both Richardson Hitchins and Keyshawn Davis went face-to-face to seemingly agree to square off in the coming year right in front of Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn.

A lot of the trash-talking done here was about what may or may not have happened in past sparring sessions between the fighters over the years, but what’s much more intriguing is what will happen between them if they in fact do formally put this fight together, which seems to at least be in the works to some degree.

If it were to happen, Hitchins would presumably be putting his IBF 140 lb title on the line against a fighter in Davis who, while quite talented, has faced much more problems outside of the ring than in it as of late. He was most recently stripped of his WBO lightweight title for coming in well over the weight limit for a title defense against Edwin De Los Santos over the summer, which ended up being canceled altogether.

You can watch their full interaction in the link above!

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Richardson Hitchins, Eddie Hearn mend relationship to join forces again

Richardson Hitchins has officially announced that he will be working with Matchroom Boxing once again.

“Back together,” Hitchins wrote on his Instagram account with a picture of himself, promoter Eddie Hearn, and manager Keith Connolly. “2026 will be a huge year. More millions and mega fights.”

Hitchins (20-0, 8 KOs) initially signed a multi-fight deal with Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing in 2022. Their marriage was a beautiful one. Hitchins kept a busy schedule and achieved a lifelong dream when he traveled to Puerto Rico and dethroned Liam Paro to win the IBF junior welterweight title.

In his first defense, Matchroom made him the headliner on June 14 in his hometown of New York at Madison Square Garden's Theater against George Kambosos Jr. It was an easy night at the office for the 28-year-old as he scored an eighth-round stoppage.

However, immediately following his win, Hitchins upset Hearn with his post-fight comments regarding free agency. Hearn felt unappreciated and their future together appeared uncertain.

Nevertheless, it all appears to be water under the bridge. Hitchins has stated that he’s set to return in the first quarter of 2026 against an opponent yet to be determined.

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Richardson Hitchins agrees to face social media nemesis Frank Martin: 'Let's lock it in'

Richardson Hitchins is tired of hearing his name on the lips of Frank Martin.

Martin, a one-time title challenger, has mentioned the IBF 140-pound champion repeatedly over the last month, going as far as to say he would knock him out.

Hitchins (20-0, 8 KOs) has largely ignored him. Now, however, he wants to shut him up.

“Frank Martin, let’s lock it in,” wrote Hitchins on his X account. “Have your people hit my people.”

Martin (19-1, 13 KOs) stopped Rances Barthelemy in the fourth round on December 6, his first fight since he was KO'd by WBA 135-pound titleholder Gervonta Davis in June 2024.

Martin predicted he would be on the more desirable end of a knockout if he were to challenge HItchins.

None of Martin’s trash talk is getting under Hitchins’ skin, he says. At the same time, the New Yorker is seeking a big fight. He successfully defended his title against George Kambosos in June of last year, scoring an eighth-round knockout, but he hasn't fought since.

Hitchins was supposed to be the co-main event of "The Ring 6" against Jamaine Ortiz on January 31. But Hitchins claims that communication between them got mixed up. Taking his place on the card will be Keyshawn Davis, who will be making his 140-pound debut.

Regardless of the reason, Hitchins wants to get more active and kick off his 2026 as soon as possible.

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Richardson Hitchins weighing up whether signing for Zuffa could cost him IBF title

The IBF’s decision to consider stripping Jai Opetaia of their cruiserweight title on the eve of his contest with Brandon Glanton has jeopardised Zuffa Boxing’s attempts to sign Richardson Hitchins.

Hitchins, 28 years old and the IBF junior-welterweight champion, was considering a lucrative offer to join the promotional organisation led by Dana White but, Boxing Scene understands, is increasingly aware that doing so could lead to the loss of the title he is determined to retain.

It was with a victory over Liam Paro in December 2024 that he was crowned champion, and he has since defended it once, against George Kambosos Jnr in June 2025. Both contests were on Matchroom promotions – his promotional contract with Matchroom has since expired, contributing to the offer received from Zuffa before Opetaia-Glanton.

For reasons including but not exclusive to the English welterweight Conor Benn leaving Matchroom for Zuffa, the rivalry between the promotional organisations has perhaps become the most intense of any between two promoters in 2026.

Hitchins, it is also understood, hasn’t yet ruled out following in Benn’s footsteps, but having watched Australia’s Opetaia – who has long been so vocal about his ambition of winning the undisputed cruiserweight title – expect to be able to defend it against Glanton and then learn that he could get stripped following his first fight since joining Zuffa, the American recognises he potentially has greater considerations than promotional rivalries to weigh up.

The two most lucrative fights that could be made for him at 140lbs would be against Shakur Stevenson, the WBO champion, and Keyshawn Davis, and Hitchins is aware of the value of his status as a recognised world champion in the event of negotiations for a date against either.

Until illness forced his withdrawal, the Keith Connolly-managed Hitchins had been scheduled to defend his title in February against Oscar Duarte on the undercard of Mario Barrios-Ryan Garcia, a promotion overseen by The Ring, whose owners the General Entertainment Authority are working closely with TKO Boxing and Zuffa. Benn, incidentally, is also managed by Connolly.

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Hitchins hesitates over Zuffa approach after Opetaia ordeal

Zuffa Boxing is signing notable fighters left and right.

However, Richardson Hitchins isn’t sure he’ll ever join their growing stable.

As first reported by BS, IBF junior welterweight world champion Hitchins (20-0, 8 KOs) was approached by the Turki Alalshikh and Dana White-founded promotional company with a lucrative offer.

While mulling that deal over, something occurred that may sway his decision-making in a different direction.

Ring and IBF cruiserweight world champion Jai Opetaia won the inaugural Zuffa cruiserweight title last weekend, outclassing Brandon Glanton with a wide 12-round decision on his U.S. debut at Las Vegas' Meta Apex.

However, confusion remains over the 30-year-old's standing with the IBF after they reversed their original decision to sanction his fight as a title defense. This meant he would be stripped of his championship status but after the Australian's post-fight comments, the sanctioning body are now said to be mulling over their initial stance.

Hitchins is said to be uneasy about the situation, aware that following Opetaia's move could see him similarly lose his world title. However, the 28-year-old hasn't dismissed the idea and was seen alongside super middleweight contender Edgar Berlanga with Keith Connolly, who manages both, in Las Vegas for a meeting on Tuesday night.

Regardless of his next move, the decade-long pro is facing criticism aplenty.

He was scheduled to make his second title defense against Oscar Duarte in the chief support preceding Ryan Garcia's win over Mario Barrios on Ring 6 last month. Having made weight well and passed the sanctioning body's second day weight check, he withdrew hours pre-fight citing an illness.

Duarte has since demanded their bout be rescheduled, or Hitchins vacate the title, while the sanctioning body have since ordered their champion to defend against mandatory challenger Lindolfo Delgado.

The proud New Yorker has openly discussed a welterweight move and having struggled with weight in years previously, it remains to be seen what he will do next. His last appearance was an eighth-round stoppage against former champion George Kambosos Jr on June 14.

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Hitchins ain’t loyal.