Montana Love sidelined with an injury, forced to postpone fight vs. Richardson Hitchins
The upcoming junior welterweight clash between unbeaten Richardson Hitchins and once-beaten Montana Love has been postponed, Matchroom Boxing announced.
Love reportedly suffered an injury during training camp, forcing him to withdraw from his fight against Hitchins.
The Hitchins-Love fight was scheduled to precede the main event bout between undisputed women’s junior lightweight champion Alycia Baumgardner and Christina Linardatou on July 15. The Baumgardner-Linardatou fight will headline a card that will take place at the Masonic Temple in Detroit, Michigan and will stream live on DAZN.
Hitchins and Love engaged in a war of words on social media since the fight was announced weeks ago.
Hitchins (16-0, 7 knockouts), who resides in New York City, scored an impressive win in his last bout on February 4, defeating John Bauza in a clash of unbeaten junior welterweights. Hitchins stopped Yomar Alamo after the eighth round less than three months before the win over Bauza.
The 25-year-old has also accumulated wins over Malik Hawkins, then a once-beaten prospect, and Argenis Mendez.
Love (18-1-1, 9 KOs) has not fought since a disqualification loss to Steve Spark on November 12 in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. Love was dropped in round 2 and was disqualified for lifting and throwing Spark over the top ring rope during a clinch in round 6.
In his previous fight on May 7 of last year, the 28-year-old overcame a knockdown and a late rally by Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela to win a close unanimous decision. Love also has knockout wins over Ivan Baranchyk and Carlos Diaz.
Love had been a fixture on ShoBox cards prior to signing with Matchroom Boxing, defeating Samuel Teah and Jerrico Walton, and fighting to a draw against Kenneth Sims, Jr.
Francisco A. Salazar has written for The Ring since October 2013 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He can be reached at santio89@yahoo.com
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