Eddie Hearn now has a clear path to a unification fight between IBF 140-pound champion Richardson Hitchens and WBO champion Teofimo Lopez next. Jaylen “Butz” Ennis has decided he doesn't want to face Teofimo in his IBF welterweight title defense. He said he would rather focus on unification at 147.
Hitchens vs. Teofimo: A realistic matchup
Matchroom promoter Hearn should contact Teofimo's boss at Top Rank, Bob Arum, and try to negotiate a fight. This is the best fight for Teofimo (21-1, 13 KOs) since he won't be getting the Terrence Crawford fight he's been asking for.
Hitchens (19-0, 7 KOs) won IBF 140 with a 12-round split decision victory over Liam Parroe on Saturday night at the Roberto Clemente Arena in San Juan, Puerto Rico. pound-for-pound champion. The Hitchens team, recommended by Eddie Hearn, performed well and defeated Paro 116-112, 116-112, 117-111 respectively.
Teofimo has to want to fight Hitchens because if he feels it's going to be a tough fight or a fight he's likely to lose, he might choose not to fight.
“He said he wanted Teofimo Lopez. It's a pretty big fight in New York City. Teofimo and Hitchens are both New Yorkers, both 140-pound champions,” Chris Mannix said on said on YouTube. “I think Teofimo Hitchens is a more realistic fight [than Jaron Ennis vs. Teofimo].
“I think this is a fight that Top Rank can fight financially. Teofimo is clearly the A-side in this fight. He's going to get most of the money and get the A-side bill. Even though Hitchens He is the holder of the title, but his net worth is not high.
“You can fight Teofimo and Hitchens. Put it on ESPN. If they don't want to put it on ESPN, Eddie Hearn can put it on DAZN. This fight makes more sense. It's It's an interesting clash of styles, like Paro and Hitchens, Teofimo is more of a forward guy and Hitchens is more of a classic boxer.
Obviously, this isn't the massive fight Teofimo wants to have against Jalen Butz-Ennis, Devin Haney, Ryan Garcia or Crawford, but it's as good as it gets for him Yes.
“Who wins? Teofimo is more popular than Liam Paro. It's a very interesting 140 game. Not like Boots Ennis,” Mannix said .
“Hitchens, no one believes in his power, but I do. I can hear it and I can see it. He's not committed to the combination,” Sergio Mora said. “The throw. You can hear it, you can see the respect he gets from his opponents. I saw it on Paro's face after the second half. He's a failed fighter.
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