Copyright Yardbarker
NEW YORK — IBF super lightweight champion Richardson Hitchins has already proven himself among the elite at 140 pounds now, he’s setting his sights on bigger challenges both figuratively and literally. The unbeaten Brooklyn native says he’s open to moving up to welterweight (147 lbs) in pursuit of a second world title, specifically targeting the winner of Devin Haney vs. Brian Norman Jr., who fight for the WBO welterweight championship on November 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Speaking with Max Kellerman on Inside The Ring (DAZN), Hitchins made his ambitions clear. “I’m willing to go up to 147, in my first fight, to challenge the winner of Devin Haney vs. Brian Norman for the WBO championship,” Hitchins said. “If I’m available and Brian Norman is available, let’s make the fight happen.” Hitchins (18-0, 12 KOs) enters the conversation as one of the sport’s most technically polished champions. His June defense against George Kambosos Jr. a fight in which he dropped and stopped the former unified lightweight king in the eighth round was a statement performance that validated his dominance at super lightweight. Familiar faces, unfinished business While Hitchins isn’t offering a prediction for Haney (32-0, 15 KOs, 1 NC) vs. Norman (28-0, 22 KOs), he admits he’ll be watching closely not as a scout, but as a fan ready to strike when the dust settles. A potential bout with Norman, in particular, would carry an added layer of intrigue. “Me and Brian Norman already boxed before in the gym, so we’re familiar with each other,” Hitchins said. “I think it would be good to do it for a world championship.” The road to a second division At just 24 years old, Hitchins is already envisioning a career that spans multiple weight classes a natural progression for a fighter whose skill set and discipline have often drawn comparisons to the likes of Haney and Shakur Stevenson. Still, Hitchins insists that any move north must come with purpose not just opportunity. “It has to make sense,” Hitchins said. “I want world title gold in a second weight class.” What’s next For now, Hitchins remains the man to beat at 140 pounds, but the callouts are beginning to stack. If he follows through on his plan to move up, a showdown with either Haney or Norman would add another high-stakes chapter to a rapidly developing career. The Haney vs. Norman fight airing live on DAZN from ANB Arena in Riyadh could not only crown a new welterweight king, but also set up one of 2026’s most compelling cross-division clashes: Richardson Hitchins vs. the winner for the right to two-division supremacy.
