Boxing
Richardson Hitchins has the belt, but the market has moved
The belts are still valid, but their value depends on who you defeat and where the fight takes place. You need wins that will get people talking when the bell rings. Hitchins did exactly what was asked of him in the ring. The problem was that he didn’t have the right stage or substantial names to turn his skills into a real star.
The situation is even more hard because he fights just like Shakur Stevenson. Both fighters keep their distance, avoid substantial fights and prefer to dominate through technical skills. It’s not a matter of talent. Stevenson had his substantial victories on major television networks where everyone was watching. Hitchins was winning quietly. His victories occurred, but they did not augment his popularity
The 140-pound division simply doesn’t have the names left to fix it. At one point, Teofimo Lopez was the favorite to fight for the money, but he never seemed interested. Now that Stevenson has beaten him convincingly, Lopez is no longer the draw he once was. A fading name won’t bring much profit or justify taking risks, especially for a champion who needs attention. Previously, this duel was very risky, but now it makes no sense.
The junior welterweight division is left with a miniature and ugly slate of choices. Guys like Ernesto Mercado and Gary Antuanne Russell are perilous in the ring, but they don’t bring in the fans or cash to make the risk worth it. This compromise may have paid off when the belt gave you the advantage, but those days are gone. Competitors make their calculations early and move on.
Moving up to welterweight is a completely different game. That’s where the money and cameras go. Large names like Devin Haney, Conor Benn, Ryan Garcia and Keyshawn Davis are all looking towards 147. Even smaller fights gain traction by being close to these stars, which leads to better TV slots and much bigger paydays. It’s much easier to sell a player that needs to be introduced when the stage is already huge.
Hitchins looks at the movement because the logic cannot be ignored. He is focused on finding the real deal, which proves he truly understands how today’s game works. In this era, success is based on performing in front of an audience, not just climbing the rankings.
Staying still has its limits. Hitchins is talented, but there are people at 140 who can be quite upsetting if he has an off night. None of these opponents offer a substantial enough reward to make it worth sticking around. At 147, the risks are different, but the potential for stardom is much greater. This is how players have to plan their careers these days.
The overall picture is uncomplicated. In this era, a bar only attracts attention if you are already popular. Hitchins won his title without the hype that usually accompanies it. When this happens, sitting and waiting rarely solves the problem. The players go to where the crowd is already gathered.
For Hitchins, moving up from junior welterweight doesn’t mean leaving the job half-done. He simply realizes that the division has nothing left to offer him. This awareness is more significant than having a belt, because it actually determines the further direction of your career.
Boxing
Tyson Fury ‘very interested’ in fighting ‘one of the most avoided heavyweights’: ‘Let’s do it’
Frank Warren believes Tyson Fury will not only beat Anthony Joshua when the long-awaited heavyweight clash finally happens, but also stop him.
The All-British clash is scheduled for November, after a delay from its earlier summer date. Warren confirmed that Fury signed a contract for the fight in January, and both men are expected to undergo interim fights before the fight becomes official.
When asked how he sees the fight developing, Warren made it clear he expected Fury to win and pointed to Joshua’s knockout loss to Daniel Dubois as a major factor.
“I think Tyson will win,” Warren told Secondsout, predicting a Tyson Fury knockout over Joshua.
“I think Tyson will stop him.
“Did you see him fight Daniel Dubois? That gives me that confidence. I was sure Daniel Dubois would do it and he did it, and I’m sure Tyson will do the same in brief order, no matter what catches him.”
Earlier in the interview, Warren also suggested that Joshua was still feeling the effects of the Dubois defeat.
“He has the specter and cloud of what happened when he fought Daniel Dubois hanging over him. So, you know, he’s vulnerable if he gets caught now,” Warren said.
Joshua is scheduled to return on July 25 against Kristian Pregna, while Fury is scheduled to fight his own warm-up fight before November. Warren said the location for the proposed blockbuster has yet to be determined, though he confirmed the fight remains signed and will likely take place later this year, provided both heavyweights win their fights.
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