Richardson Hitchins says he wants Devin Haney next for his first defense of his IBF light welterweight title that he captured last Saturday night against champion Liam Paro. Hitchins (19-0, 7 KOs) states that Haney said he would fight him if he captured a belt.

(Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom)

One obstacle that could prevent Haney from fighting Hitchins is the IBF’s 10-lb rehydration limit. He would have to keep his weight no higher than 150 overnight after weighing in for the secondary weigh-in on the morning of the fight.

If Devin needs to rehydrate to 165, the IBF’s rehydration clause will prevent him. For that reason, he’ll reject the fight with Hitchins.

Haney (31-0, 15 KOs) doesn’t have a fight lined up after losing to Ryan Garcia earlier this year on April 20th. He’s been sitting idle for the last 7 1/2 months since.

Will Haney Respond?

“Whichever one of the champions want to fight. Haney said if I get a belt, he’ll fight me. So, let’s do it,” said Richardson Hitchins to the media following his win over IBF light welterweight champion Liam Paro last Saturday night.

“I’m ready for any of the top names. I want the biggest fight in boxing. It’s time to secure my legacy. Secure my family, and make the biggest fights.”

Hitchins schooled IBF light welterweight champion Paro (25-1, 15 KOs), beating him by a 12-round unanimous decision at the Coliseo Roberto Clemente, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The scores were 116-112, 116-112 for Hitchins, and 117-111 for Paro.

Paro’s fans feel that he made a mistake by agreeing to fight Hitchins on neutral turf rather than insisting, as the champion, to stage the fight in his native Australia so that he would have the advantage with the fans and the scoring of the contest.

It might not have made a difference because Paro was so far out of his class that it might not have mattered if the judges were from Australia.