Richardson Hitchins Calls Out Brian Norman Jr. Before Welterweight Debut

The former IBF light welterweight champion says 147 pounds is where he expects to cement his legacy after facing Ricardo Salas at Madison Square Garden.

Richardson Hitchins has already identified Brian Norman Jr. as a future target after moving to welterweight, but his immediate focus is Ricardo Salas on Sunday, July 26, at Madison Square Garden. A successful debut at 147 pounds would move the former IBF champion closer to the marquee fights he wants.

“Brian makes sense. If Zuffa can make the Brian fight. Conor Benn is going into a big fight. So Brian Norman, I guess. I mean it really don’t matter. I’m willing to fight any and everybody in boxing to be honest. I feel like I’m the best boxer in boxing and I’m going to keep proving it. My accomplishments prove it. If Brian Norman want to come here and come try to compete against me, let’s make it happen because I last recall his dad said that they wanted me after the Devin Haney fight. So I’m at 47 now. So let’s make the fight happen.”

Hitchins also explained why he decided the time was right to leave 140 pounds behind after spending most of his career in the division.

“I’ve been at 140 since I was 15 years old. I’m 28 now, so it’s been a long time coming to move up to 147. I feel stronger. My weight cut is much easier. Camp is way more smoother. I don’t really got to worry about certain things that I had to do to make the 140 weight class. Now at 47, I’m filled in more into my grown man strength, and I feel great overall… I feel like welterweight is the place where I will cement my legacy.”

Any discussions about Norman or the other leading names at 147 will have to wait until after Sunday night. Salas is the first obstacle in Hitchins’ new division, and a convincing performance would strengthen his case for the marquee fights he wants next.