Richardson Hitchins Accepts Keyshawn Davis Fight at Welterweight
Richardson Hitchins has accepted a welterweight showdown with Keyshawn Davis under Zuffa Boxing.
Richardson Hitchins has agreed to fight Keyshawn Davis at welterweight, setting up one of the most anticipated matchups in the 147-pound division.
Hitchins' manager Keith Connolly confirmed the news in an interview with Brian Custer, per Boxing News 24. "We've accepted the fight," Connolly said. "We're waiting for a couple of commercial things to come through, so to speak, a date to be set."
The fight is being negotiated under the Zuffa Boxing banner, with talks of a possible doubleheader alongside a Shakur Stevenson bout. No date or venue has been finalized, but Connolly made clear his fighter is ready.
"I told Hitchins, it's a 50-50 fight," Connolly said. "But I said, this is the type of fight that if you take it, it's worth the risk because of the money we'd be receiving, but also the opportunity of two guys fighting in their prime."
The matchup presents tactical questions for both sides. Davis is moving up from lightweight, where his speed advantage was a constant weapon. At 147, Hitchins holds the natural size edge and should be the bigger man in the ring. Neither fighter currently draws enough independently to headline a major card, which is partly why the fight needs a larger event to anchor onto.
A Fury vs. Joshua or Benavidez vs. Cieslak card has been discussed as a potential home for the bout, per Boxing News 24. Wherever it lands, Hitchins vs. Davis is the kind of competitive, prime-vs-prime fight boxing needs more of.
This is the right fight at the right time for both guys. Hitchins needs a signature win to separate himself from the pack at 147, and Davis needs to prove his speed translates when he's giving up size. Connolly calling it 50-50 is honest and refreshing.
The fact that it's being negotiated under Zuffa Boxing is interesting. Say what you want about the UFC's boxing venture, but they're putting together fights that the traditional promoters can't or won't make. If this lands on a big card alongside Shakur, you've got a stacked night of boxing that gives the undercard fights room to breathe.
I'm leaning Hitchins on size alone, but Davis has the kind of hand speed that can erase a size advantage in a hurry. Don't miss this one.
