Kambosos’ Questionable #3 Ranking Faces Test: Hearn Targets June 21st for Hitchins Defense, Despite ‘Emperor’s’ Weak 140 Debut

Promoter Eddie Hearn says Richardson Hitchins will defend his IBF light welterweight title against #3 George Kambosos Jr. on June 21st if George’s cut is healed by that time. If it’s not, Hitchins (19-0, 7 KOs) will face someone else on that date.

(Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom)

Cut Concerns

Hearn doesn’t say who the backup plan will be for Hitchins if Kambosos’ cut isn’t healed. He suffered the cut against Jake Wyllie, getting hit hard by the young gun, who proved to be a lot tougher than expected. His youth, power, and natural light welterweight size made life tough for Kambosos. George isn’t built for the 140-lb division, and we saw that against Wyllie.

Emperor’s Test

Kambosos, 31, debuted at 140 last Saturday night, defeating replacement opponent Wyllie (16-2, 15 KOs) by a 12-round unanimous decision in Sydney, Australia. The ‘Emperor’ Kambosos struggled throughout the contest against the 24-year-old, unranked Wyllie, winning by the scores 117-111, 115-113 and 117-111.

It’s unclear why the IBF has given Kambosos a #3 ranking after just one fight at 140 against the second-tier fighter, Wyllie. That doesn’t make much sense. Kambosos has pushed above these talented fighters in the IBF’s top 15 rankings at light welterweight:

– Liam Paro
– Kenneth Sims
– Jamaine Ortiz
– Jose Ramirez
– Elvis Rodriguez
– Subriel Matias
– Isaac Cruz

I can’t see Kambosos beating any of those contenders. Those guys would be far too good for a limited guy like the ‘Emperor,’ who is largely seen as a one-hit wonder by fans.

The Date

“The date is going to be June 21st. That is the date that we’re targeting. There is no movement on that date. Whoever Richardson Hitchins is fighting on that date, George Kambosos or someone else,” said promoter Eddie Hearn to Ring Magazine YouTube channel, talking about the possibility of #3 ranked George Kambosos Jr. challenging Richardson Hitchins for his IBF 140-lb title in the summer on June 21st.

“I don’t think the cut is that bad. It’s 13 weeks after tonight. So, it’ll take four or five weeks for the cut to heal, but he’ll be fit, and he can start sparring again. He needs to make that date, and I believe that he can. It’s a great fight [Hitchins vs. Kambosos] George is all action and captured all the belts at 135 [*Note: Kambosos briefly held the IBF, WBA, and WBO lightweight titles, but NOT the WBC. As such, he did not capture “all the belts.”]. The build-up will be epic, and I believe it’ll be a great fight,” said Hearn.