Promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed that there have been talks between Turki Al-Sheikh and light welterweight champions Richardson Hitchins and Teofimo Lopez for a unification fight next at 140. Hearn is confident that his fighter, IBF champion Hitchins (19-0, 7 KOs) will defeat WBO belt-holder Teofimo (21-1, 13 KOs) next.
Teofimo reportedly signed a three-fight deal with Turki for these three bouts:
- Richardson Hitchins
- Jaron Ennis
- Ryan Garcia vs. Devin Haney 2 winner or loser [most likely loser]
Hearn Confirms Talks
“Yes, there has been. Not with Top Rank, but with His Excellency [Turki Al-Sheikh],” said Eddie Hearn to Fighthype when asked if there have been discussions for a unification fight between Richardson Hitchins and Teofimo Lopez.
“Keith Connolly represents both guys. So, we’re ready for that fight. Richardson is ready to jump up into a unification fight straight off the bat. The deal has got to be right, obviously, but no problem. That’s a brilliant fight for New York, Teo against Hitchins, and we win that fight well.
“So, forget the plans for Teofimo Lopez. Richardson Hitchins will beat Teofimo Lopez. So, we’re ready for that fight. Teofimo Lopez probably,” said Hearn when asked what’s next for Hitchins. “Before Teofimo, we were just planning the George Kambosos fight in New York in the summer”
Hearn is right. Hitchins will 100% beat Teofimo and make it look easy in the process. This will be an even easier victory for Hitchins than his dominating win over IBF 140-lb champion Liam Paro on December 7th. If Turki wants Teofimo to take three hard fights as part of his contract with him, he’s going to lose all of them, starting with Richardson.
Teofimo won’t fight Hitchins unless Turki Al-Sheikh offers him a boatload of money because that’s not his style to take tough fights, especially after he was burned in his matches against Jamaine Ortiz, Sandor Martin and George Kambosos Jr.
Kambosos’ Fading Hopes
“George will be back. He’ll be back in Australia, and then the plan is to move him straight into the Richardson Hitchins. If Hitchins does fight Lopez, we’ll see what happens, but George is gunning for a shot at 147, and we’ll see what happens,” said Hearn.
No one wants to see Kambosos Jr. be the one taking on Hitchins for his IBF belt because he doesn’t rate a world title shot with his terrible record in the last three years. Kambosos is heading for journeyman status, and he doesn’t rate getting a title shot with his 1-3 record in his last four fights. You don’t go to the championship game with that kind of record in any other sport.
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