Social contract: Richardson Hitchins says Mexico's Ricardo Salas is his first Zuffa Boxing opponent
May 30, 2026 • 5:48 PM ET
Geoffrey Knott/Matchroom BoxingNo contracts have been crafted, nothing has been signed.
But thanks to some extended social-media banter, it appears recent 140lbs world champion Richardson Hitchins has an opponent for his debut Zuffa Boxing match July 26 in New York.
Assisted by some effective goading by veteran fight advisor Sean Gibbons, Mexico’s Ricardo Salas 24-2-2 (18KOs) has emerged as the foe of choice for recent IBF champion Hitchins 20-0 (8KOs) of Brooklyn.
Zuffa’s first New York card will be staged at the Madison Square Garden Theatre.
It started with a news release as Salas assessed his motivation for signing with Zuffa Bowing was to have a shot at its best welterweights including Hitchins, Conor Benn and Elvis Rodriguez.
“The order doesn’t matter, just as long as I get them one right after the other,” Salas was quoted in the statement.
“On second thought, it might be best if I fight Hitchins first because when he sees me starch Benn and Rodriguez, he may enter witness protection.”
Salas, from Mexico City, won his March 8 Zuffa Boxing debut by stopping countryman Jesus Saracho in the eighth round – Salas’ 10th consecutive bout without a loss.
Gibbons re-posted the release on “X” and added, “Hitchins I guess not a fan [of] Mexican food. Too mucho caliente for him!!!”
That was a reference to Hitchins withdrawing from fighting Mexico’s 140lbs contender Oscar Duarte after both made the IBF’s second-day weigh-in cut.
Hitchins complained of being sick and pulled out, deeply angering Duarte, his promoter Oscar De La Hoya and fans attending the February 21 card headlined by Ryan Garcia’s WBC welterweight title victory at T-Mobile Arena.
Gibbons directed a comment to Hitchins on “X:” “Salas accepted the fight immediately. The problem is you! Anytime a real Mexican fighter’s name is mentioned, you have 101 excuses and get the chills! Viva Mexico. Ready to go! Ball’s in your court! If you have any balls that is!”
Hitchins responded to a post from someone named “Ole,” alleging Hitchins was selecting Rodriguez over Salas.
“Cap … they presented [Salas], [former welterweight champion Eimantas] Stanionis and tried to push Rodriguez. Dude said he couldn’t fight. I said bring Salas or whoever they could get since the date’s getting close now.”
Minutes later, Hitchins posted, “SALAS IT IS! July 26 done.”
Lance Pugmire has been a full-time boxing writer for nearly 20 years, serving now as BoxingScene’s U.S. Senior Writer and assistant producer for ProBoxTV’s “BoxingScene Today.” Pugmire capped a near 20-year career at the Los Angeles Times (sports investigations, NHL/MLB beat work, law enforcement/courts and boxing/UFC) to join The Athletic, and then USA Today. Pugmire’s stint at The Times started with the first Israel Vazquez-Rafael Marquez fight and the Oscar De La Hoya-Floyd Mayweather Jnr then-record pay-per-view, leading through a slew of ringside assignments at major bouts, including Mayweather-Pacquiao, Mayweather-Canelo and the Canelo-Golovkin trilogy. Lance’s appreciation for boxing is rooted in his admiration and appreciation for the fighters, gladiators who have proven to be the most forthcoming and candid of all the athletes he has interviewed over a career dating to 1990. Lance was honored to be named the 2022 winner of the Boxing Writers Association of America Nat Fleischer Award for career excellence and he’s collected many BWAA writing awards in categories ranging from breaking news to deep-dive long features.
