Title Stands Vacant Amidst Zuffa Alignment
Richardson Hitchins, the current IBF super lightweight champion, is poised to relinquish his title. This development follows his recent agreement with Zuffa Boxing, a move that creates a structural quandary for the champion’s continued reign within the 140-pound division and its associated sanctioning body obligations. The fighter, who has a professional record of 20 wins with 8 knockouts, is reportedly shifting focus to the welterweight division, aiming for world title contention at 147 pounds within the next year.
This transition precipitates a critical juncture for the International Boxing Federation’s championship. The IBF’s stance, clarified in recent communications, suggests a precedent is being applied, similar to the situation involving Jai Opetaia. Hitchins could theoretically defend his IBF title under the Zuffa banner, provided the bouts are not contested for a competing championship belt. However, Hitchins' manager, Keith Connolly, has indicated that vacating the title is the chosen path, with an imminent move to welterweight.
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Structural Implosion
The core of the issue lies in Zuffa Boxing’s operational framework, which reportedly does not accommodate the super lightweight division. This forces Hitchins into a position where continuing as IBF champion at 140 pounds presents inherent conflicts. Unlike Edgar Berlanga, who signed with Zuffa at 168 pounds without immediate divisional complications, Hitchins faces an adjustment tied directly to his championship status and chosen weight class.
Further complicating matters, Hitchins had been ordered by the IBF on February 25th to negotiate a mandatory defense against Lindolfo Delgado, the number one contender. This order came shortly after Hitchins withdrew from a previously scheduled defense against Oscar Duarte due to illness. Reports also suggest Hitchins has faced weight-related challenges previously, adding another layer to his present situation.
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The specter of sanctioning body action looms, as seen with the IBF withdrawing its sanction from Jai Opetaia’s cruiserweight defense earlier this year because the bout was also contested for an inaugural Zuffa cruiserweight title. This precedent suggests that any fight under a Zuffa title banner, even at 140 pounds, carries the risk of non-sanctioning by the IBF.
Background Shifts
Richardson Hitchins ascended to his IBF super lightweight title in December 2024, defeating Liam Paro. He successfully defended the belt once, stopping George Kambosos Jnr in the seventh round in June 2025. His alignment with Zuffa Boxing was publicly announced on April 8th, 2026, alongside the signing of Edgar Berlanga. Zuffa Boxing itself has been actively building its roster and has secured broadcast deals, including five events per year with Sky Sports in the UK. The company's promotional debut is anticipated for the summer of 2026.
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