Richardson Hitchins, the light welterweight contender, is set to make his return to the ring in October in New York City. As the #1 IBF, #3 WBO, and #5 WBC-ranked fighter, Hitchins needs to face someone who can draw a crowd and headline the event. Despite his impressive rankings, he is not yet considered main-event material. One potential opponent for Hitchins could be former IBF 140-lb champion Subriel Matias, who is also under the Matchroom promotional company. The advantage of this matchup is that Matias, being Puerto Rican, would attract a significant crowd in New York City. Hitchins could leverage Matias’s popularity to elevate his own status in the eyes of the fans.
Should Hitchins face Matias, it would be a challenge stylistically for both fighters. Matias, coming off a defeat against Liam Paro, needs a strong comeback against a notable opponent. Hitchins’ defensive style, reminiscent of Shakur Stevenson, could pose difficulties for Matias who prefers a more aggressive approach. The potential matchup between Hitchins and Matias would be intriguing to watch, as both fighters bring unique skills to the ring.
One critical aspect for Hitchins in his upcoming fights is to be more entertaining and take more risks. His defensive approach, similar to that of Shakur Stevenson, has been deemed boring by some fans. In his previous fights against Gustavo Lemos and Jose Zepeda, Hitchins failed to captivate the audience, leading to questions about his potential to become a popular fighter. Eddie Hearn, his promoter, has not been actively promoting him, raising concerns about his future with Matchroom. It is essential for Hitchins to showcase a more exciting style in his upcoming bouts to win over the fans.
With the possibility of Hearn signing Shakur Stevenson, a fighter with a similar style to Hitchins, there is uncertainty about the direction of Hitchins’ career. If Hearn is not planning to renew Hitchins’ contract, signing Stevenson could be a futile move. Hitchins needs to prove his worth in the ring and demonstrate that he has the potential to be a crowd-pleaser. The upcoming fight in New York City will be a significant opportunity for Hitchins to showcase his talent and attract a new fan base.
Richardson Hitchins faces a crucial moment in his boxing career. He needs to embrace a more aggressive and entertaining style to win over the fans and solidify his position as a top contender. The matchup with Subriel Matias could be a turning point for Hitchins if he can rise to the challenge and deliver an impressive performance. It is time for Hitchins to step up his game and show the boxing world what he is truly capable of.