Richardson Hitchins vs Ricardo Salas Preview July 26th, 2026
Unbeaten former IBF Junior Welterweight Champion Richardson Hitchins of Brooklyn, New York moves up to the welterweight division this Sunday, July 26th to take on Ricardo Salas of Mexico. The 10-rounder from New York City can be seen live in Paramount + while fans in the UK and Ireland can catch it on Sky Sports. Hitchins last fought in June, 2025 when he defended his belt by stopping former IBF/WBA/WBO Lightweight Champion George Kambosos Jr of Australia in the eighth round. Hitchins won the belt in December, 2024 when he edged Liam Paro by a split decision. Salas last boxed in March when he halted Jesus Saracho in the eighth round.
Hitchins vs Salas Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Ricardo Salas +700
- Richardson Hitchins -1200
My Pick
Hitchins is 28 years old and makes the ring walk with a perfect mark of 20-0 with 8 Ko’s and has boxed 138 rounds since making his pro debut in 2017. Before that he enjoyed a pretty good amateur career as he fought for Haiti at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and was beaten by Gary Antuanne Russell of America. Hitchins was born in New York to Haitian parents but failed to make the American Olympic boxing squad so represented Haiti instead. He stands 5-feet-9-inches tall with a 74-inch reach.
When it comes to power, his current knockout ratio is below average as it clocks in at 40 per cent and he’s gone the distance in eight of his last 11 outings. He’s got a pretty good chin but has hit the canvas during his pro career. Hitchins first took a big step up in class against Jose Zepeda in September, 2023 and passed it with flying colours with a 12-round unanimous decision to win the vacant WBC Silver and WBO NABO Super Lightweight Titles and defend his IBF North American Belt. He also has wins over Gustavo Lemos, Tre’Sean Wiggins, Kevin Johnson, Argenis Mendez and Yomar Alamo and beat John Bauza in February, 2023 for the vacant WBC USA Super Lightweight Crown.
The 27-year-old Salas enters the fight with a mark of 24-2-2 with 18 Ko’s and has fought 135 rounds since turning pro as a teenager back in 2016. He has quite a bit of power in his fists as 75 per cent of his wins have come by stoppage including seven of his past eight. His first defeat came at the hands of Abraham Juarez Ramirez by six-round split decision in 2018 while his second loss was a 10-round split decision to Julio Luna Avila in 2021 in a shot at the vacant North American Boxing Association Welterweight Belt.
Salas’ draws were an eight-round affair with Ruben Eduardo Aguilar in 2023 and a 10-round battle with Chester Torrales the same year. He measures just over 5-feet-7-inches tall with a 70.5 inch reach so he gives up 1.5-inches in height and 3.5-inches in reach to Hitchins. Salas captured the vacant IBF North American Welterweight Title in April, 2025 with a second-round TKO over Kent Cruz and four months later he added the WBC FECOMBOX Welterweight Crown. He enters this weekend’s fight on a 12-bout unbeaten streak.
Prediction…
Hitchins, who gave up his junior welterweight belt in April, has fine boxing skills with little power while Salas is regarded as a high-volume, pressure boxer who’s aggressive and likes to come forwards. He’s an excellent body puncher and likes to throw powerful combinations. Since Hitchins is moving up seven pounds to the welterweight division we don’t know what his punch resistance is going to be like, but it better be pretty good on Sunday night. Still, he’s a great defensive boxer so Salas may have a difficult time catching up to him. Hitchins is definitely the better overall boxer with fine skills though and that should be enough to see him to victory as long as his chin holds up at the heavier weight. The only chance Salas has here is to stop him or dominate him, but he’ll certainly put in a workmanlike performance.
Hitchins has the better boxing skills.
Play: Hitchins -1200 @ BetOnline.ag
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Ricardo Salas betting • Richardson Hitchins betting