Richardson Hitchins will put his IBF junior welterweight title on the line against Oscar Duarte on February 21 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, in the co-feature to Mario Barrios vs. Ryan Garcia on DAZN PPV. It’s a classic boxer-versus-puncher matchup, with Hitchins defending for the second time and Duarte entering his first world title fight riding a four-fight win streak.
Hitchins is a heavy favorite at -550, with Duarte listed at +380. The champion holds advantages in speed, skill and reach, boasting a three-inch edge that could be crucial in keeping Duarte at bay. His jab will be central to the game plan, especially against a pressure fighter who thrives on closing distance. Hitchins’ footwork and ability to control the center of the ring will be key, along with body work that could slow Duarte down as the rounds progress. He showed that finishing instinct in June when he stopped George Kambosos with a left hook to the body in his first title defense.
Duarte’s path to victory is clear: pressure, volume and physicality. The Mexican contender throws in bunches and does his best work when he traps opponents along the ropes. In his majority decision win over Kenneth Sims Jr., Duarte outworked his opponent, throwing 900 punches and landing 172 power shots. To upset Hitchins, he’ll need to replicate that pace, dig to the body and prevent the champion from dictating range with the jab. Shutting down Hitchins’ lead hand will be critical if Duarte hopes to turn the fight into a grind.
If Hitchins wins, he strengthens his case as one of the top fighters at 140 pounds and positions himself for potential unification bouts. Matchups with Dalton Smith or a high-level chess match against Shakur Stevenson would loom large. A definitive performance would also signal growth since his close win over Gustavo Lemos and reinforce the idea that he’s still developing into his prime.
If Duarte pulls off the upset, it could signal a dramatic shift in the division’s balance of power. He would complete a remarkable turnaround from being an opponent in Ryan Garcia’s 2023 comeback fight to world champion just over two years later. With his aggressive, relentless style, Duarte as champion would present a daunting challenge to anyone at 140 pounds.
“Tough fight. He’s gonna be rugged,” Hitchins said. “I feel like I should put on a dominant performance.” Duarte’s mindset is simpler: “I want to be a champion [and] whoever is in front of me, I’m going to take him out.”
Image Credit: The Ring