Plenty of the criticism traces back to February 21, when Hitchins’ scheduled fight with Oscar Duarte was scrapped on fight day under circumstances that many fans still view as strange. That episode already damaged goodwill. Monday’s announcement reopened it.
Supporters of rivals also pointed to the names Hitchins didn’t fight at 140. Keyshawn Davis, Ernesto Mercado, and Gary Antuanne Russell were all mentioned repeatedly by fans who consider Hitchins left the division before settling the strongest challenges available.
The common theory is that this move is about money greater than legacy. Welterweight offers possible future business with larger business names resembling Ryan Garcia, Devin Haney, and Conor Benn, all of whom carry larger event value than a lot of the contenders at 140.
It definitely looks like Hitchins is searching for the green belt of the financial variety. While moving up is commonly presented as a quest for “legacy” or “two-division glory,” the timing and the names involved suggest he’s chasing the large revenue that follows the Big 3 at 147.
The welterweight division is currently home to the most important business draws outside of the heavyweight scene.
At 140, Hitchins was stuck in a nasty position. Fighters like Ernesto Mercado and Gary Antuanne Russell are talented boogeymen who bring massive risk without the pay-per-view upside. By jumping to 147, Hitchins can bypass these dangerous contenders under the guise of moving for greatness while actually positioning himself for the Conor Benn or Ryan Garcia sweepstakes.
For years, Hitchins used his large frame to his advantage at junior welterweight. Nevertheless, the load cut was clearly becoming a struggle, especially after the February 21 Duarte debacle.
Moving up allows him to stop draining and potentially preserve his chin for the harder punchers at welterweight, all while keeping his eyes on the prize: a large payday that simply wasn’t coming at 140.
Ultimately, the larger money fights seem like the first motivator. At 147, the water is deeper, however the gold at the underside is way shinier.
There’s also a practical side. Hitchins has long carried a repute as a weight bully due to his size advantage within the division. Many consider he must have moved to welterweight ages ago as an alternative of draining down and using natural dimensions against smaller opponents.
Now he gets what he asked for. At 147, the scale edge shrinks, the punchers hit harder, and the criticism won’t disappear unless the names recuperate.