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Boxing
'Lost his mind!' - Current super-lightweight champion rubbishes call-out from former world title challenger
Richardson Hitchins believes Frank Martin has "lost his mind" if he believes he can beat the IBF super-lightweight champion.
The former Golden Gloves champion ended an eighteen-month absence with victory over Rances Barthelemy last weekend.
Success moves Martin to 19-1 in his professional career, with his only loss in a WBA lightweight bout against Gervonta Davis.
The star subseqeuntly stated that he wants a shot at Hitchins and his crown at the 140-pound mark for his next assignment.
But speaking to The Ring, the latter has poured cold water on suggestions that he could be dethroned by such an opponent.
"He's lost his mind," he stated. "I'm the best fighter in the division and one of the best fighters in the world.
"He's not on my level. If he ever gets in the ring with me, I'll beat him the hell up."
Hitchens has not fought since a stoppage victory in June over George Kambosos Jr., even as he chases big-name foes next.
Martin meanwhile is currently not ranked by the IBF in the super-lightweight category, suggesting a tough path to any challenge.
Hitchins rubbishes Martin as questions swirl
DAZN News correspondent Andrew Steel
It has been a pretty low-key year for Richardson Hitchins, which makes it no surprise challengers are coming out of the woodwork.
But the star wants the best for his title defence and more crowns to go with it, perhaps leaving him with limited options to tackle.
Teofimo Lopez, Brian Norman Jr. and Devin Haney are just some of the people he has called out - but all seem unlikely opponents.
The super-lightweight category is particularly fractured now, and unless he can find a unification bout, Hitchins may kick his heels.
Another option would be the choice to move up to welterweight proper in pursuit of those bigger names - but is that what he wants?
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