Richardson Hitchins has publicly apologised to Eddie Hearn, following comments he made after beating George Kambosos Jr on Saturday.
Hitchins defended his IBF super lightweight title with an eighth round stoppage over Kambosos Jr in New York, his sixth fight under Hearn’s Matchroom banner since leaving Mayweather Promotions.
The 27-year-old thanked Hearn in the aftermath, but revealed that his contract is up with the British promoter and he would now enter free agency, remarks which did not sit well with the 46-year-old.
“I did feel disrespected, because it’s not him. It’s just dogs around him,” Hearn told IFLTV.
“I remember when I first met Richardson Hitchins, the door of his car was falling off, and to be honest I’ve spent a lot of money and invested in a young man that I really respect and admire.
“I’ve boxed him at Madison Square Garden [against John Bauza], I’ve headlined him in Orlando [vs Jose Zepeda], when we really didn’t sell any tickets and we lost a lot of money. I kept with it.
“I headlined him in Las Vegas [vs Gustavo Lemos], where again we didn’t sell many tickets and we lost money, then I paid for him to get the opportunity to fight Liam Paro for the world title.
“Then I paid up for a big opponent in George Kambosos, paid up for the big homecoming in New York.
“But Richardson is a very good kid.
“He’s just got some snakes around him.”
Hearn claimed that Hitchins’ manager Keith Connolly advised him to make the comments and revealed that he confronted the Brooklyn man afterwards.
Hitchins has since apologised for the comments and insists he is hopeful of extending their partnership.
“I gave him his flowers,” he told IFLTV.
“He changed my life in two years.
“It’s no disrespect towards Eddie Hearn, saying I was a free agent.
“I still want to work with Eddie.
“Me and Eddie always had a great relationship and I don’t mean nothing towards Eddie.
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“He gave me the opportunity and all I needed was the opportunity.
“He did what Mayweather Promotions never did for me, so all I can do is give him all his flowers.
“I’m sorry Eddie if you feel disrespected, you’re my guy and it’s all love over here.”
