Richardson Hitchins Explains Matchroom Exit: Why Free Agency Is His “Best Business Move”

Richardson Hitchins says his decision to leave Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom was a “business” decision. He’s looking out for what’s “best for me.”

Turki’s Potential Role

Hitchins wants Turki Alalshikh to deliver him the fights he’s been asking for against Devin Haney and Teofimo Lopez. IBF 140-lb champion Hitchins (20-0, 8 KOs) only wants those fights; he feels that with him being a free agent now, Turki will give them to him.

Fans feel that Hitchins has been avoiding the talented fighters at 140, Subriel Matias, Ernesto Mercado, and Gary Antuanne Russell, because he knows he’ll lose. Instead, he’s happy to fight guys like George Kambosos Jr. and Liam Paro.

If Turki does sign Richardson to a small contract, he should insist that he fight Mercado, Matias, and Russell in that order rather than giving him the fights he’s asking for against Haney and Teofimo. He shouldn’t be allowed to duck and pick and choose his opponents.

“Me and Eddie spoke after the fight behind closed doors. Everything is on the table right now,” said Richardson Hitchins to Boxing King Media about him being a free agent after ending his contract with Matchroom with his victory over George Kambosos Jr. on June 14th.

Berlanga’s Influence

Hitchins is managed by Keith Connolly, the same guy who works with Edgar Berlanga. He too, recently left Matchroom after his contract expired and got a big-money deal to headline on Turki Alalshikh’s July 12th card.

So, the idea is that Hitchins is likely hoping that Turki will sign him with a lucrative multi-fight deal worth millions, and he’ll get the fights that he’s been pining away for against Devin Haney and Teofimo Lopez.

He seems to think those are the ones that will turn him into a star. Hitchins’ fighting style is similar to Shakur Stevenson’s, and not the type that the majority of the U.S fan base enjoys watching. He’s a runner when facing opposition with power. In his last fight, he didn’t run because he was matched against the light-hitter George Kambosos Jr.

“I love Eddie Hearn. The relationship I had with Matchroom was great. They’ve been fair to me, and all I asked them was an opportunity to prove that I’m one of the best in the world,” said Hitchins. “They gave me that. All I can ever do is forever thank them for that.”

Without Hearn, Hitchins doesn’t have a lot of options. The big fights that he wants against Devin Haney and Teofimo Lopez have no chance of happening. Hitchins seems to think that by following in Edgar Berlanga’s footsteps in leaving Matchroom, it’ll lead to Turki Alalshikh signing him like he did with Berlanga. That deal backfired big time.

Hitchins’ Business Move

“It’s business. I’ve got to do what’s best for me. Of course, I love the relationship with Eddie Hearn,” said Hitchins about him being a free agent. “I would love to work with Eddie Hearn in the future. He’s always been fair to me. It is what it is. We’ll see what the future holds, as far as me and Eddie working together, me and Turki [Alalshikh] putting something together.”

We already heard that Turki won’t work with Hitchins unless Eddie Hearn is involved. So, Richardson made a mistake making a big announcement of his free agency following his final fight under his contract with Matchroom after his fight title defense against George Kambosos Jr. He should have shown loyalty.

“I’m here, I’m [an IBF light welterweight] champion, I’m undefeated. I want the biggest fights. I bring a lot to the table as far as me and my name. I’m one of the best fighters in the world. Not only America. As soon as I step in the ring, these guys are going to see that I’m a true master,” said Hitchins.

The only two fights that Richardson wants are Teofimo Lopez and Devin Haney. Neither of those two has any chance of happening unless Turki Alalshikh offers them massive money. In Teofimo’s case, even if Turki does offer him a massive purse, it doesn’t guarantee that he would agree to a fight against Hitchins.

Haney’s value as an opponent for Hitchins could drop to next to nothing if he gets blown out by WBO welterweight champion Brian Norman Jr. on November 22nd. Fans aren’t going to be excited to see Haney and Hitchins fighting after that.

Unlikely Opponents

Ernesto Mercado
Subriel Matias
Gary Antuanne Russell
Alberto Puello
Keyshawn Davis.

Hitchins has no interest in fighting. Those are all risky fights for him that he could lose, or take a lot of punishment in winning. Richardson doesn’t handle pressure well and tends to run when attacked.