Richardson Hitchins appears to have landed on Ricardo Salas as his Zuffa Boxing debut opponent on July 26 in New York, with the matchup seemingly arranged through a social media exchange rather than formal negotiations.
The bout would take place at Madison Square Garden Theatre. Salas, 24-2-2 with 18 knockouts, made his Zuffa Boxing debut in March with a stoppage win over Jesus Saracho and called out Hitchins, Conor Benn, and Elvis Rodriguez upon signing with the promotion.
Fight advisor Sean Gibbons escalated the situation by referencing Hitchins’ February withdrawal from a scheduled fight with Mexico’s Oscar Duarte, posting that Hitchins was afraid of Mexican fighters. Hitchins responded by clarifying his position on the available opponents before settling the matter publicly.
“SALAS IT IS! July 26 done.”
Hitchins, 20-0 with 8 knockouts, is the recent IBF junior-welterweight champion from Brooklyn. No contracts have been signed at time of writing.