Turki Alalshikh Key To Hitchins Vs. Lopez? Massive Purse Needed To Lure Teofimo Into Risky Unification With Richardson

Richardson Hitchins says he wants to face Teofimo Lopez next in a light welterweight unification match. The IBF 140-lb champion Hitchins (20-0, 8 KOs) told his followers on X that he’s going to do his best to deliver an unification fight against WBO champ Teofimo (22-1, 13 KOs).

Teofimo Lopez Avoiding Risk?

Hitchins may have permanently scared off Teofimo with his eighth-round knockout win over George Kambosos Jr. last June. Richardson looked too dominant in that fight and the one before that against Liam Paro for Lopez to agree to fight him. Teo has been in the position to hand-pick his opponents since his win over Vasily Lomachenko in 2020.

With the $10 million that Lopez got for his victory over Arnold Barboza Jr. last May at Times Square, he can afford to be choosy. Teo recently turned down a massive payday for a fight against Devin Haney in a catchweight in August.

“I will do my best to give you guys Hitchins vs. Teofimo Lopez next. This is a must-see fight for the sport of boxing—unification vs. two highly skilled fighters. I can’t wait to dominate and prove I’m one of the faces of the sport of boxing. UNIFICATION TIME !!!!” said Richardson Hitchins on X.

That fight isn’t realistic. Teofimo doesn’t take risky fights anymore since his bad experience against Jamaine Ortiz. Richardson should look in a different direction for his next fight by targeting WBA 140-lb champion Gary Antuanne Russell in a unification fight. Russell would readily agree to fight Hitchins.

There’s also the newly crowned WBC light welterweight Subriel Matias that Hitchins could fight. Matias has a title defense to make against Dalton Smith next in November. But if it’s victorious in that fight, he would gladly face Hitchins in an unfication.

Alalshikh Can Make Fight

Turki Alalshikh can make some big fights happen for Richardson, possibly even against Teofimo if he offers him enough money. It would have to be a massive purse to lure Lopez to take a risky fight against Hitchins. If he was fine with rejecting a big payday against Haney, he’ll do the same against Hitchins.