THE SIDELINES : Hilton on Middleweight Card

Matthew Hilton will replace Iran Barkley as the challenger to champion Doug Dewitt for the World Boxing Organization middleweight title Jan. 15 at Atlantic City, N.J., promoter Bob Arum announced today.

Barkley, the No. 3 contender, underwent laser surgery for a detached retina in his left eye earlier this week.

Hilton, a former International Boxing Federation junior middleweight champion, fought a 10-round draw against Fermin Chirino on Tuesday at Caesars Atlantic City. He is ranked third among junior middleweights by the WBO.