Until illness forced his withdrawal, the Keith Connolly-managed Hitchins had been scheduled to defend his title in February against Oscar Duarte on the undercard of Mario Barrios-Ryan Garcia, a promotion overseen by The Ring, whose owners the General Entertainment Authority are working closely with TKO Boxing and Zuffa. Benn, incidentally, is also managed by Connolly.
Richardson Hitchins wary signing for Zuffa could cost him IBF 140lbs title
