Hitchins Faces Backlash for Calling Out Lamont Roach Jr. Instead of a Unification

Richardson Hitchins called out lightweight contender Lamont Roach Jr. on social media today, offering him a fight for his IBF light welterweight crown. Roach (25-1-2, 10 Kos) answered back in the affirmative, saying, “You’re talking my language.”

If Hitchins didn’t have any options at 140 for essential fights, you could understand him calling out Lamont Roach. That’s not the case at all.

Hitchins has got WBA champion Gary Antuanne Russell and WBC champ Subriel Matias, who have both been asking him to meet in a unification fight. The unbeaten 140-lb contender Ernesto Mercacado has also been pushing for a fight against Hitchins and has been ignored.

Hitchins Seeks Out Roach

It’s a bad look for Hitchins to be combing the 135-lb ranks, looking for smaller, weaker opposition like the finesse-level fighter Lamont Roach Jr. to defend his IBF 140-lb title.

“Negotiations right now. I’m looking to unify. There are only so many people with titles out there. Don’t run. It’s possible,” said Antuanne Russell to BoxingScene about his interest in fighting Hitchins.

Of course, a fight between Antuanne Russell and Hitchins would be possible. But not if Hitchins prefers to fight guys like George Kambosos Jr. and Lamont Roach Jr. It’s hard not to see a trend with the kind of opposition that Hitchins is choosing when he chooses Roach over rather than the big punchers, Russell, Matias, and Mercado.

Hitchins announced that he was a free agent on June 14, 2025, following his eighth-round knockout of Kambosos Jr. at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Richardson’s contract with Matchroom Boxing expired with that fight. Matchroom Chairman, Eddie Hearn, was displeased with Hitchins making the announcement after the fight because he had wanted the opportunity to talk to him to re-sign him.

A History of Investment

“I did feel disrespected, because it’s not him. It’s just dogs around him”. Hearn said to Boxingscene, “I remember when I first met Richardson Hitchins, the door of his car was falling off. I’ve spent a lot of money and invested in a young man that I really respect and admire”.

Hearn steered Hitchins to the IBF 140-lb title and matched him against Kambosos Jr. in his first defense. One could understand his disappointment seeing Hitchins leave after the investment he had made in him.

Roach, 30, missed out on a rematch with WBA lightweight champion Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis when the Baltimore native decided to fight Jake Paul next on November 14th on Netflix.