Unbeaten world champion eyes fight with winner of Devin Haney vs Brian Norman Jr

Richardson Hitchins has called for a fight with the winner of the world title clash between Devin Haney and Brian Norman Jr on November 22 in Riyadh. 

The reigning IBF super lightweight champion would be happy to make the move to welterweight to challenge whoever emerges with the WBO welterweight strap. 

“I’m not ducking,” Hitchins told the Inside the Ring podcast. “Like I said. I’m willing to go up to 147lbs. [In my] first fight, go up and challenge the winner of Devin Haney or Brian Norman Jr for the WBO world championship."

Hitchins also seemed to hint at who he believes will emerge victorious from the fight as he responded to Norman Jr’s dad saying that they wanted him next. 

“Brian Norman Jr’s dad has been bickering, saying he wants to fight me next and in a few months, if I’m available and Brian Norman Jr is available, let’s make the fight happen.

“Me and Brian Norman Jr have already boxed each other in the gym, so we are familiar with each other, so I think it would be good to do it for a world championship.” 

• Read next | The improvements Wardley showed to beat Parker... and how he could use them to stun Usyk

Geoffrey Knot/Matchroom Boxing

Hitchins is coming off an emphatic career-best win against former unified lightweight champion, George Kambosos Jr – stopping the Aussie in the eighth round to successfully defend his IBF super lightweight strap for the first time. 

Haney and Norman Jr currently divide opinion among fans, debating who will remain undefeated following ‘The Night of Champions’ in Riyadh, but Norman is the slight betting favourite as the natural welterweight with an impressive knockout record. 

Norman Jr is coming off a devastating first defence of his WBO welterweight title, knocking out Jin Sasaki in the fifth round with a monster left hook. 

Haney is in a do-or-die scenario heading into the fight after initially losing to Ryan Garcia last year before the bout was ruled a no-contest due to Garcia’s failed drug test. 

He followed this up with a plodding victory over an ageing Jose Ramírez in May that saw the fourth fewest punches ever thrown in a 12-round contest.

Watch Buatsi vs. Parker live on DAZN

Joshua Buatsi vs. Zach Parker is live on DAZN this Saturday night, November 1. Watch the fight and whole card with a DAZN subscription.

Annual and monthly options available, click here for pricing and options.