Richardson Hitchins' New York homecoming against George Kambosos Jr suffered an unexpected blow to kick off fight week stateside, after it emerged overnight that a divisional rival and surging contender in Ernesto Mercado (17-0, 16 KOs) will not feature as planned.

Saturday's IBF junior welterweight world title matchup headlines a Matchroom card at Madison Square Garden Theater in New York, though a featured attraction at 140-pounds has been scratched after news of Mercado suffering an undisclosed minor training camp injury.

In an official statement, Team Mercado wrote: "Tito has unfortunately withdrawn due to a minor injury sustained during camp. For now, his focus will be on rest and recovery so that he can return stronger than ever. We also look forward to providing his fans with a future fight date that will showcase Tito's transition from Prospect of the Year to rising contender."

The 23-year-old, who didn't put a foot wrong en route to a fourth-round stoppage win over two-division world champion Jose Pedraza on January 25, was set to face New Orleans' Jonathan Montrel (19-3, 13 KOs) in another ten-round contest as he steadily builds up his resume and continues attracting attention from the ever-changing divisional landscape.

The California-raised puncher, of Nicaraguan and Mexican descent, is riding a six-fight stoppage streak including a second-round knockout win over longtime contender Jeremia Nakathila in November 2023 but unlike the WBO's No. 2-ranked lightweight Abdullah Mason, doesn't yet have the cache to be demanding low-risk, high-reward opportunities.

He recently told The Ring's Manouk Akopyan: "It's hard to get opportunities when I am knocking out everyone so quickly. We're trying to get the best opponents we possibly can, I say yes to everyone they offer me and want high-level guys. I'm not trying to be a contender for the rest of my life, I'm ready to fight for the world title right now."

Yet the four-year pro remains on the outside looking in as far as the four major sanctioning bodies' rankings are concerned, with this injury setback an untimely reminder that nothing is promised.

Instead, this represents a second cancelled fight in seven months after Mexico's Jesus Saracho (15-2-2, 12 KOs) missed weight by seven pounds before their proposed matchup as part of the Jaron Ennis vs. Karen Chukhadzhian 2 undercard in Philadelphia on November 9, billed as his promotional debut under Eddie Hearn's ever-growing stable.

IBF world junior welterweight title: Richardson Hitchins (c) vs. George Kambosos Jr

IBF lightweight title eliminator: Andy Cruz vs. Hironori Mishiro

Welterweight, 8 rounds: Pablo Valdez vs. Cesar Diaz

Heavyweight, 6 rounds: Teremoana Jnr vs. Aleem Whitfield

Junior middleweight, 6 rounds: Nishant Dev vs. Josue Silva

Junior lightweight, 4 rounds: Zaquin Moses vs. Carl Rogers

Junior featherweight, 4 rounds: Adam Maca vs. Rafael Castillo