Connect with us

Boxing

Hitchins claims the Ortiz fight was signed before the overdue change

Published

on

Richardson Hitchins speaks into a microphone during a press event while promoter Eddie Hearn sits beside him with folded arms, listening.

Richardson Hitchins finally spoke on January 31st about why he is no longer fighting Jamain Ortiz, and the brief version is this: the fight was real, it was signed, and then it was taken away from him.

“I signed a contract to fight Jermaine Ortiz. Things changed at the last second,” Hitchins wrote X. “I’ll be in a better fight in a very brief time… I’m sorry, it was out of my control.”


This coincides with what happened later. Ortiz is not gone. He simply veered into another lane – the one that now ends with Keyshawn Davis.

Ortiz has been talked about as Hitchins’ opponent for weeks. Then he’s suddenly dropped from that card and instead receives a yellow card against Davis. Hitchins completely disappeared from this date. No sluggish fade. He just disappeared.

Hitchins says it wasn’t his decision. He says he signed it. He says that changed overdue. He also says that his next fight will come quickly and will include a defense of his 140-pound title, with an announcement for that fight expected soon.

It’s clear that Ortiz didn’t waive anything. He took up the fight that was put before him. Now he’s facing Davis, not Hitchins, and that’s a more complex stylistic problem than most fighters would like if it were due to inactivity.

As for Hitchins, he remains in position to move forward with a separate title defense while Ortiz heads in a different direction.

The end result is neat. Ortiz goes one way. Hitchins goes further. And Jamaine Ortiz proves to be a guy who keeps getting dragged into tough fights while the plans around him keep changing.

This is boxing. Same week. Same date. The same group of opponents. And suddenly the road branches. For now, the only confirmed outcome is that Ortiz will face Davis on January 31, while Hitchins’ next opponent and fight date have yet to be formally announced.

Click here to sign up for our FREE newsletter

Related boxing news:

Categories Richardson Hitchins

Last update: 26/12/2025

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Boxing

Eddie Hearn warns that Zuffa athletes could lose their world title eligibility

Published

on

Image: Eddie Hearn Says Zuffa Fighters Should Lose Access To World Titles

“I think there will be a large split in boxing now,” promoter Matchroom Hearn told the media. “If you go with Zuffa, you’re out of the governing bodies. I think that’s really what it’s going to have to be like.”

Hearn’s comments come at a time when Zuffa Boxing is gaining momentum and gaining attention from fighters and promoters across the sport. The long-term question was whether the events would interact with the WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO systems, or go in a different direction.

Hearn explained his position.

“If you sign with Zuffa, you can’t win the world championship,” he said. “You can’t have it both ways.”

He pointed to the recent movement to include titleholders and challengers, arguing that fighters who leave the customary route are giving up some of what boxing has historically valued most.

“Legacy will always be the answer,” Hearn said.

This line leads to a real fight under the headlines. Zuffa can offer money, platform power and stern promotion via TKO. Time-honored boxing still offers belts, rankings and the story behind becoming a champion.

Many competitors will try to secure both if possible. Hearn is doubtful whether the balance can be maintained.

Hearn also criticized recent arguments against the Ali Act and said income transparency remains one of the strongest protections for combatants in the current US system.

Whether fans agree with Hearn or not, he touched on something real. Boxing may be heading down two separate paths, and fighters will soon have to decide which is more vital.

Continue Reading

Boxing

Moses Itauma is open to fighting the “legend” KO artist who wants to test his beard

Published

on

Moses Itauma open to facing KO artist ‘legend’ who wants to test his chin

Moses Itauma is willing to face the uncompromising heavyweight veteran after his last fight, a methodical fifth-round stoppage victory over Jermaine Franklin.

The 21-year-old showed his world-class potential last month, scoring a third-round knockout before stopping the typically tough Franklin with a powerful uppercut.

Itauma has since been named mandatory challenger for the WBO title, putting him in pole position to face the winner of the Fabio Wardley vs. Daniel Dubois fight at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester on May 9.

However, this highly developed talent is ranked No. 1 in the WBA and No. 2 in the WBC, which gives him several options to consider before his next assignment.

WITH Itauma is reportedly expected to return in JulySeveral candidates are already being considered as potential opponents, including the likes of Murat Gassiev and Filip Hrgovic.

As for a potential fight with Deontay Wilder, Itauma said DAZN in preparations for the American’s fight with Derek Chisora, that he would be open to fighting him.

“If he wins, yes. You have to weigh the risk against the reward. What do you get [from fighting] his?

“He is a legend in the sport and I really respect him, but you have to weigh the pros and cons.”

After suffering two knockdowns and beating Chisora ​​by split decision earlier this month, former world champion Wilder is looking for another chance.

I’m talking to ESPNThe 40-year-old said he was not in the mood to avoid potential opponents, including Itauma, who made a huge impression on him against Franklin.

“I’m a heavyweight. All the other characters are heavyweights. Why not? I’m not [dodging] anyone.

“I didn’t know who Moses was, but I saw his last fight with Franklin… What a damn KO. He seems like a potential champion. Why not test him?”

Since their confused encounter, Chisora ​​has demanded an immediate rematch with Wilder, who will likely face an alternate opponent in his next fight.

Continue Reading

Boxing

Jared Anderson withdraws from May 9 fight with a torn bicep

Published

on

Image: Jarrell Miller Claims Jared Anderson Pulled Out of Their September 13th

Ring Magazine reports that Anderson withdrew from his fight with Solomon Dacres after suffering a bicep injury. The 10-round heavyweight bout was scheduled for Fabio Wardley vs. Daniel Dubois at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester.

Anderson (18-1, 15 KO) was looking for another step back after a knockout loss to Martin Bakole in 2024. Instead, the 26-year-old now faces another delay at a bad time in his career.

The fight at Dacres was not a world-class test, but it had value. Anderson needed rounds, activity and a consistent win on a major heavyweight card. Now that’s gone, and the injury gives critics more room to question where his career is headed.

The reaction from boxing fans was fierce, with several responses pointing out Anderson’s injury history and durability. Some questioned whether his body would hold up in the heavyweight division. Others suggested he might have to consider considering the cruiserweight division if physical problems persist.

It may be tough, but it’s the kind of failure that changes the way you view your prospect. Anderson still has talent, but he’s no longer talked about as a pure future heavyweight star. Now he’s trying to prove he can stay vigorous long enough to rebuild.

Moving to Queensberry and fighting in the UK seemed like a desperate attempt to find a novel environment that could boost his confidence. But this bicep injury is a disaster because it adds another year of rust to a psyche that already looked feeble. You won’t rebuild your self-confidence at the gym.

A torn bicep effectively means Jared Anderson’s career will be in frigid storage until the end of 2026. Recovery from this type of surgery usually takes six to nine months before a player can even think about hitting a full-power shot with that hand.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

OUR NEWSLETTER

Subscribe Us To Receive Our Latest News Directly In Your Inbox!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Trending