Promoter Eddie Hearn has said that discussions are ongoing and that no agreement has been finalized. As of now, no bout has been formally announced, and no sanctioning approval has been published by the IBF.
Following Hitchins’ title win, the IBF ordered a mandatory defense against Lindolfo Delgado. That order was temporarily set aside after an appeal from Hitchins’ team, allowing time for a voluntary bout to be pursued. The IBF has not yet reissued the mandatory order, and no purse bid has been 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 has also discussed his future weight class. He has said publicly that he does not intend to remain at 140 pounds long term and has mentioned the possibility of moving 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 bout have been announced.
Hitchins has continued to express interest in fights against Teofimo Lopez and Devin Haney. Those comments have not resulted in confirmed negotiations, and no bout involving either opponent has been announced.
Hitchins won the IBF title in his most recent outing, becoming one of the division’s belt holders. Since that win, 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.
