The sanctioning body confirmed a 65-35 split in Hitchins’ favor for the bout, pushing the unbeaten junior welterweight champion toward a choice that now has a deadline.
The move lands weeks after Hitchins signed with Zuffa Boxing, a company that does not operate a 140 lb division. That raised early questions about whether he would keep the belt or move up instead. The IBF’s position leaves little room to delay that call.
Dan Rafael reported the purse bid and addressed the situation directly when asked how Hitchins could handle the obligation under his new deal.
“He has no choice if Hitchins wants to defend,” Rafael wrote.
That stance keeps the title tied to the IBF system rather than any promotional plans. Rafael added that it would not interfere with future fights tied to Zuffa if the defense goes ahead, noting it is not an issue for an established champion.
Delgado, unbeaten and next in line, now becomes the immediate test of Hitchins’ direction. Taking the fight keeps him at 140 with the belt. Walking away would leave the title behind and clear the path for a vacancy or a new title bout.
The IBF’s ruling also puts attention on the purse bid itself, where promoters have a short window to submit offers and secure promotional rights. If no deal is reached before then, the bid becomes the only route to finalize terms and move the fight forward.
The April 21 purse bid will determine whether a promoter secures the fight or whether the situation moves toward a change at the top of the division.
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