The sanctioning body confirmed a 65-35 split in Hitchins’ favor for the bout, pushing the undefeated junior welterweight champion to a choice that now has a deadline.
The move comes weeks after Hitchins signed with Zuffa Boxing, a company that does not operate a 140lb division. This raised early questions as to whether he would retain the belt or move up instead. The IBF’s stance leaves little room to delay that call.
Dan Rafael reported the purse bid and addressed the situation directly when asked how Hitchins could handle the obligation under his new deal.
“He has no choice if Hitchins wants to defend,” Rafael wrote.
That stance keeps the title tied to the IBF system rather than any promotional plans. Rafael added that it would not interfere with future fights associated with Zuffa if the defense continued, noting that this was not a problem for an established champion.
Delgado, unbeaten and next in line, now becomes the immediate test of Hitchins’ direction. Taking the fight, keep him at 140 with the belt. Walking away would leave the title behind and open the way for a vacancy or a new title match.
The IBF’s ruling also puts a spotlight on the purse bid itself, where promoters have a short window to submit offers and secure promotional rights. If no agreement is reached before then, the bid becomes the only route to finalize terms and move the fight forward.
The April 21 purse will determine whether a promoter secures the fight or whether the situation moves toward a change at the top of the division.
