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Eddie Hearn now has a clear path to a unification fight between IBF 140lb champion Richardson Hitchins and WBO champion Teofimo Lopez. Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis has decided he does not want to face Teofimo in a title defense of his IBF welterweight belt. He says he’d rather focus on unifying the 147.
Hitchins v Teofimo – a realistic match
Matchroom promoter Hearn should contact Bob Arum, Teofimo’s boss at Top Rank, and try to negotiate a fight. It’s the best contest available 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-pound title with a 12-round split decision victory over Liam Paro on Saturday night at Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Hitchins, promoted by Eddie Hearn, looked excellent, beating Paro by scores of 116-112, 116-112 for Paro and 117-111 for Paro.
Teofimo should want the fight with Hitchins because he can choose not to take the fight if he thinks it will be difficult or he could lose.
“He said he wants Teofimo Lopez. This is a pretty big fight in New York City. Teofimo and Hitchins are New Yorkers, both champions at 140 pounds,” Chris Mannix told YouTube. “I think Teofimo-Hitchins is a much more realistic fight (than Jaron Ennis vs. Teofimo).
“I think it’s a fight that Top Rank could do financially. Teofimo is obviously the A in a fight like this. He would get most of the money and get the billing as the A face. Even though Hitchins is the headliner, it’s not that expensive.
“You can fight Teofimo and Hitchins. Put it on ESPN. If they don’t want to put it on ESPN, Eddie Hearn could put it on DAZN. This fight makes a lot more sense. It’s an interesting clash of styles, like Paro and Hitchins. Teofimo is more of an advanced guy. Hitchins is more of a classic boxer.
It’s obviously not the massive fight Teofimo wants against Jaron Boots Ennis, Devin Haney, Ryan Garcia or Crawford, but it’s so good for him.
“Who wins? Teofimo has a lot more pop than Liam Paro. It’s a very interesting fight at 140. It’s a fight I want to see Teofimo win. Not something like Boots Ennis,” Mannix said.
“Hitchins, no one gives him credit for his power, but I do. I could hear it and I could see it. He doesn’t bet on combinations”, said Sergio Mora. “The shot of the pot. I could hear it and you could see the respect he’s getting from his opponents. I could see it in Paro’s face after the second half of the fight. He was a beaten fighter.”
