WBA light welterweight champion Gary Antuanne Russell revealed that he\u2019s in \u201cnegotiations\u201d for a unification fight against IBF champ Richardson Hitchins in a fight that he says could happen before the end of the year.<\/p>\n
Antuanne Russell and Hitchins Unification<\/p>\n
Russell (18-1, 17 KOs) wants Hitchins (20-0, 8 KOs) not to \u201crun\u201d away from the fight. It\u2019s a risky one for Hitchins to take, because Russell is a far better fighter than the one Richardson recently had against George Kambosos Jr. on June 14th.<\/p>\n
Hitchins made a big deal of his victory over Kambosos, believing his eighth-round knockout win made him a household name. It sounded deluded on his part.<\/p>\n
Antuanne Russell defeated Jose \u2018Rayo\u2019 Valenzuela by a lopsided 12-round unanimous decision on March 1st in Brooklyn, New York.<\/p>\n
Unification Before Year-End<\/p>\n
\u201cNegotiations right now. I\u2019m looking to unify. There are only so many people with titles out there. Don\u2019t run. It\u2019s possible,\u201d said Gary Antuanne Russell to BoxingScene<\/a> when asked if IBF light welterweight champion Richardson Hitchins is the guy that he\u2019s looking to fight next.<\/p>\n For Hitchins to take the fight, he\u2019s got to be sold on himself after his wins over Kambosos Jr. and Liam Paro. It\u2019s not a fight that he would have a good shot of winning.<\/p>\n It\u2019s unknown who Richardson\u2019s promoter will be for the fight. He announced that he was a free agent after his win over Kambosos. The way he revealed it, he may have expected that there would be a stampede of interest from other promoters or Turki Alalshikh.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s been talking a little bit of trash. Even s*** talking a little bit. So, I want to put that to the test. Bring that my way.\u00a0 I would want it to happen before the end of the year. Close the year out with getting another title,\u201d said Russell. \u201cHe\u2019s got belief in himself, but as far as skillset. There\u2019s no change. I don\u2019t think he possesses what I possess.<\/p>\n