Brian Norman Sr. says he wants Richardson Hitchins next for his son, WBO welterweight champion Brian Norman Jr. (28-0, 22 KOs), after he defends against Devin Haney in two weeks on November 22nd in Riyadh.
Last month, on October 28, 2025, Hitchins (20-0, 8 KOs) said he wanted the winner of the Haney vs. Norman Jr. fight, saying he’ll go up to 147 to fight for the WBO welterweight title against whoever emerges victorious.
Five-Year-Old Sparring Story Resurfaces
Hitchins then bragged about how he dominated Norman Jr. in sparring, telling the 10-8 podcast that it was “easy work” against the “little kid.” What he failed to include in his story was that the sparring took place five years ago, when Norman Jr. was 19, and it was only a three-round session.
Norman Sr. Locks in on Hitchins: “You’re Next”
“We love the fight. I’m not going to be like a dumb a** Devin Haney, chasing Ryan Garcia 2. You hear me right now, saying as clear as day, you’re next,” said trainer Brian Norman Sr. to the 10-8 podcast about wanting Richardson Hitchins as the next opponent for WBO welterweight champion Brian Norman Jr. if he’s victorious against Devin Haney.
If this fight happens, Hitchins, 28, would be skipping the line at 147, jumping ahead of the contenders in the WBO’s rankings. The fighters who have been waiting for their title shot wouldn’t be overjoyed seeing Richardson get an unearned title shot against the Haney vs. Norman Jr. fight.
It’s questionable whether the World Boxing Organization would sanction a fight of that kind, as Hitchins is not ranked in their top 15 at 147, and they’re strict about who their champions are permitted to fight. Now, if Hitchins were to move up to welterweight and defeat the top contenders in the WBO’s rankings, he might have a chance to fight for the title. However, taking the lazy approach by skipping the line cheapens the meaning of being a champion.
“If you want to be next, you’re next in a homecoming fight,” said Norman Sr. about Hitchins. “We love the ones who think they’re elite. You’re next, but we’ve got to deal with Devin Haney right now. I’m not someone who’s talking in circles, trying to duck.”
Does Hitchin really think he’s elite? Given that he’s chosen not to accept the call-outs by WBA 140-lb champion Gary Antuanne Russell, WBC champion Subriel Matias, Keyshawn Davis, and Ernesto Mercado, you have to question whether he actually believes he’s elite.
It just looks like Hitchins is chasing a payday, and not wanting to risk his hide to work for it by running the gauntlet at 147 to face the contenders that could expose him in the way Gustavo Lemos did.
“Who is Richardson Hitchins? Who would ever duck [him]? He went life and death with [Gustavo] Lemos. Get the f*** out of here. These are little itty bitty [fighters]. He’s bragging about sparring a 20-year-old Brian Norman for three rounds that were lackluster as a motherf**** that nobody ever spoke about him and his coach,” said Norman Sr.
That was a tough fight to watch, Hitchins’ battle against Lemos on April 6, 2024. The Argentinian Lemos (30-2, 20 KOs) pressured Hitchins throughout, landing heavy shots and winding him down like an old clock.
Last Updated on 11/08/2025
