This is the second time Hitchins has been asked to defend his title on a card built around other names. He applies pressure, throws with intent, and has built his record on forcing exchanges rather than waiting for rounds to be handed to him. He already holds the IBF belt, but the division has not stopped moving around him. On a card driven by names and attention elsewhere, Hitchins will not be judged on whether he wins. For him, this defence is less about retaining the IBF title and more about showing that he can move with the division rather than around it.