IBF’s Welter weight champion Richardson Hitchins, says he doesn’t like the idea of fighting a unification match against WBO Teofimo Lopez champion on Alcatraz Island this summer in San Francisco, in California.
Hitchins (19-0, 7 KB), from New York, believes that a fight between him and the Teo born in Brooklyn should take place from where they are from the city. He likes the idea that they are fighting under the Brooklyn bridge, Madison Square Garden or Barclays Center.
NY on Alcatraz
Hitchins makes a good point. Fans of Bay Arena in northern California would not be interested in seeing Teofimo against Hitchins because none of the two is of this arena. There are not many fights in this area, to start, but it is not the one who would connect with fans of the San Jose region and Gilroy to make them want to look at him on Alcatraz.
Turki might think of using someone from the Bay Area to attract fans, then make TEO and Hitchins take advantage of it. Having this as a main event on Alcatraz would not interest people in this area. They should be ultra-hardcore boxing fans to watch to see this fight coming. Teofimo (21-1, 13 kos) is not popular enough to attract an audience, and Hitchins is still unknown to most fans.
“Alcatraz, who does not make the fight fun for me. I wanted to fight in New York. It was the whole scenario, two guys from New York, who are fighting there, “Richardson Hitchins told Combination About his potential fight for unification against Teofimo Lopez in June or July.
“I have been holding the city from the 2016 Olympic Games, representing the city. If it makes sense [to fight in Alcatraz, I haven’t got an offer yet, I’ll leave happy. The fight isn’t as fun for me than if it were in New York. Turki said he wanted to do it under the Brooklyn Bridge. I’m also hearing about Madison Square Garden and the Barclays.
“I’m still with the fight. We just got to wait and see what it’s about. Eddie Hearn will be talking to Turki in the next week or so, and they’re going to see what it brings to the table. So, as long as it makes sense, I’m down to make it happen,” said Hitchins.
Lopez’s Silence
Teofimo has been keeping quiet about his next fight, which tells you he’s not excited about this matchup. He’ll obviously go with the Hitchins fight if it pays, but he’s not been mentioning wanting to face him. Teofimo has been talking about Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis and Terence Crawford. Fighting them would pay better than a match against Hitchins.
“It’ll be a great build-up. Teo likes to troll and talk. His dad likes to troll and talk. You know me. I’m always ready to talk my s*** and oblige to that type of antics. Teo has been making in the neighborhood of one million, and he wants to start seeing that next level of money. So, he’s trying to make the biggest fights happen,” said Hitchins.
Last update on 02/17/2025
