Promoter Eddie Hearn said that discussions are ongoing and no deal has been finalized. Until now, no fight has been formally announced, and no sanction approval has been published by the IBF.
After Hitchins’ title win, the IBF ordered a mandatory defense against Lindolfo Delgado. That order was temporarily overturned after an appeal by Hitchins’ team, allowing time for a voluntary fight to continue. The IBF has not yet reissued the mandatory order, and no scholarship bid is scheduled.
Delgado remains the IBF’s mandatory challenger. No determination has been announced regarding Hitchins’ next title defense, and no deadline has been publicly confirmed by the sanctioning body.
Hitchins also discussed his future weight class. He has publicly stated that he has no intention of staying at 140 pounds long-term and has mentioned the possibility of moving up to welterweight. No timetable or formal plan for a weight change has been announced.
At junior welterweight, Hitchins is one of several current titleholders across the sanctioning bodies. Dalton Smith now holds the WBC title in the division. No negotiations or agreements for a unification fight have been announced.
Hitchins continued to express interest in fights against Teofimo Lopez and Devin Haney. These comments did not lead to confirmed negotiations, and no fight involving either opponent was announced.
Hitchins won the IBF title in his most recent outing and became one of the division’s belt holders. Since that victory, no fight date has been finalized, and no mandatory defense has been scheduled.
As of January 18, no official announcement has been made regarding Hitchins’ next fight, his mandatory status or his future weight class.
