Richardson Hitchins wasted no time making his intentions clear after Devin Haney unexpectedly found himself without an opponent. With Keyshawn Davis out of the picture following the WBO purse bid and Shakur Stevenson once again insisting on a 144-pound catchweight, Hitchins publicly put himself forward for a fight with Haney at 147 pounds.
“HITCHINS VS HANEY #147 😈,” said Hitchins on X.
The timing makes sense. Haney’s plans changed after Keyshawn declined the ordered WBO title fight once the purse bid showed his share would be just over $2 million. Stevenson soon renewed his pursuit of Haney, but Bill Haney rejected another catchweight proposal, insisting Shakur should earn his opportunity through the WBO rankings instead of negotiating special terms.
That left an opening for another welterweight contender, and Hitchins immediately stepped forward.
Hitchins is coming off a 10-round unanimous decision over Ricardo Salas in his first fight at 147 pounds for Zuffa Boxing. He has publicly pursued a fight with Haney for years, but the circumstances are different now because Haney no longer has an opponent lined up.
The biggest question is not whether Haney notices the challenge. It’s whether fans want the matchup. Both fighters are known for their technical styles, leaving many observers uncertain about the bout’s commercial appeal compared with other names Haney has been linked to.
Hitchins recognized an opportunity and acted on it. With Haney searching for his next opponent, the former IBF light welterweight champion has inserted himself into the conversation at a time when the door may finally be open.
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Last Updated on 2026/08/01 at 8:36 PM
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