Richardson Hitchins Sees Zuffa Taking Over Boxing

The former IBF light welterweight champion says he already has his next target in mind and explains why he rejected offers from DAZN and Golden Boy to join Zuffa Boxing.

Richardson Hitchins says he already knows who he wants to fight next but will keep that name private until after Sunday’s bout with Ricardo Salas. The former IBF light welterweight champion also explained why he signed with Zuffa Boxing despite receiving offers from DAZN, Golden Boy and other promoters.

Hitchins said that signing with Zuffa Boxing became an easy decision after listening to the vision presented by Dana White and Nick Khan. Although he received offers from several promoters, he believes Zuffa is committed to building him into one of boxing’s biggest names rather than simply adding another champion to its roster.

“I had a lot of different offers. I had deals with DAZN, sat down with Golden Boy, I sat down with different promoters and people that were interested in me. But Zuffa gave me an opportunity and the deal I couldn’t refuse,” said Hitchins to Paramount Boxing.

“I feel like a lot of my promoters believed in me as a fighter, but promoting me into a superstar, I don’t think that was a priority. Then when I sat down with Nick Khan and Dana White, that was some of the things we spoke about. Bringing me back home, bringing me back to the East Coast. Eventually I shouldn’t need a reservation or I shouldn’t need an ID to go anywhere. Just being promoted the right way. I feel like with Zuffa, they’re pushing me to be the star that I believe I am.”

The New Yorker also believes Zuffa is only beginning to establish itself and expects the promotion to become one of boxing’s biggest players by matching elite fighters against each other.

“I feel like Zuffa is just getting their feet wet. Once they settle in and everybody can come together to make the best fights happen, especially with a company that has so much power. They’re here to take over. You see they got me, Edgar Berlanga, Shakur Stevenson, one of the biggest stars in the sport. I think in a few years Zuffa will be one of the companies making the biggest and best fights happen in boxing.”

Before looking beyond Sunday, Hitchins knows he has to defeat Salas. Once that is done, he intends to let everyone know who he wants next.

“Yeah, I do honestly. I do have a callout in my head. But you’ve got to get the dub first. You’ve got to tune in Sunday night. I’ve got to get the dub first, then I’ll do my callout,” said Richardson.