That fight hasn’t been scheduled yet, and even on a normal timeline, it likely doesn’t land until the summer. If Hitchins goes through with that defence, there isn’t much room left in the calendar to move up, secure a title opportunity, and land a fight with Haney before the end of the year.
Even in a best-case scenario, a Haney fight would be pushed toward November or December, and that assumes everything moves cleanly with no delays. That kind of path makes the callout feel more like long-term positioning than something close to being made.
The reaction from fans reflects that mismatch. Some see Hitchins talking about a title shot at 147 while still tied up at 140 as skipping steps, especially with his recent run of unfinished business.
There has already been criticism tied to his recent activity. Fights with Keyshawn Davis, Gary Antuanne Russell, and Ernesto Mercado were all mentioned by fans as opportunities that never materialised.
His withdrawal from the fight with Oscar Duarte on the day of the event last February drew a strong reaction from fans, with many accusing him of getting cold feet. A smaller group saw it differently, pointing to the weight cut and the risk of going into a tough fight against a pressure brawler while drained. Hitchins is a big light welterweight and often looks far bigger after rehydrating, which has kept the focus on whether 140 is still the right division for him.
That pattern has shaped how some fans view him now. A portion of the reaction in the thread focused less on the Haney matchup itself and more on whether Hitchins is willing to take the fights in front of him.
“Kool fight Russell first,” one user posted. Another wrote, “He think he slick. Fight Duarte.” Others questioned his consistency, with one saying, “Hitchens just lies every single interview.”
The tone across the replies was largely negative, with several comments suggesting he is more focused on money than on facing the toughest available opposition.
Richardson, 28, has said he will likely defend his IBF title before moving up, which would line up with the mandatory against Delgado. That fight becomes important for him because it’s the only immediate way to quiet some of the criticism before he starts talking about title shots in a new division.
The problem is, the Haney fight is easy to mention, but getting there this year is the part that doesn’t add up.
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