Super lightweight contender Oscar Duarte was at the Fighter Hotel in Las Vegas on Saturday, February 21, mentally preparing for one of the biggest tests of his boxing career to date.
The 30-year-old fighter has built an impressive resume since knocking out Ryan Garcia in 2023 and bounced back with impressive wins over Joseph Diaz and Kenneth Sims. But he risked it all to take on one of America’s top boxers, IBF world champion Richardson Hitchins, in a 140-pound bout. Richardson Hitchens is considered the next fighter to break into boxing’s top 10, following Devin Haney and Shakur Stevenson.
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Duarte had a great training camp learning from one of the best coaches in boxing, Robert Garcia, at his academy in Riverside, California. He felt ready.
But then his phone rang.
“Oscar,” his brother said on the other line. “There’s something wrong with Richardson Hitchens.”
No fighting took place.
Defending champion Hitchens and challenger Duarte successfully completed Friday’s weigh-in and Saturday’s re-weigh-in, but the 140-pound titleholder withdrew due to illness three hours before the showdown at T-Mobile Arena. No specific illnesses were reported.
“I feel sad,” Duarte told The Uncrowned this week through a translator, just five days before the game was called off. “I’m disappointed. I’ve been training hard and only thinking about victory, I’m ready to fight.
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“I had the best camping experience of my life and brought my family in Mexico and my kids to California.”
Boxers cover the cost of flights and accommodation before a fight because they know the wallet they receive after the fight will cover previous expenses.
But Duarte had “a weird feeling” when he went to the ring on Saturday to watch other fighters compete. “I knew it was my turn,” he said.
There’s also the question of what will happen to his salary.
Duarte funded a training camp, gained weight, and prepared for a fight until, for reasons beyond his control, his training was stripped away.
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“I’ve gotten comments saying I’m going to receive a percentage of the wallet,” he said. “Me and [Golden Boy founder] Oscar De La Hoya told him everything would be taken care of. “
A source familiar with the situation told The Uncrowded that Golden Boy had no obligation to pay in this case, even though Duarte was their fighter.
According to a second source, this is because Golden Boy actually sold the rights to broadcast the event to the Saudi Arabian company Sela, which is supposed to ensure that athletes receive payment.
According to an Uncrowned source, Serra “didn’t want to pay Duarte’s wallet.” They said Golden Boy would pay Duarte about 28-30% of the total amount, although “this was Serra’s obligation and Serra did not provide a doctor’s note for Hitchens’ withdrawal.”
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The source added that it was their understanding that Serra needed a commissioned doctor to confirm that Hitchens was unable to compete, “but that has not been provided yet.”
Richardson Hitchens (left) withdrew from his IBF title fight against Oscar Duarte just hours before the fight.
(Chris Esqueda/Golden Boy, Getty Images)
In a DAZN video played on Tik Tok, Golden Boy star Ryan Garcia cast doubt on Hitchens’ claims of illness in the locker room during last Saturday’s game.
As of the time of publication, Serra had not responded to Uncrowded’s request for comment.
“I did my job,” Duarte said. “I want the full percentage that I’m owed. I’m a professional when it comes to fights, opponents and making weight. I just want the same respect.”
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It’s unlikely that Duarte will even counter Hitchens immediately, as the International Badminton Federation has ordered a mandatory match between the champion and Lindelof Delgado. All parties involved were given 30 days to come to an agreement, and the IBF’s decision effectively put Duarte’s fight on hold.
Duarte said he was happy for Delgado and described Lindelfo as “a good friend of his.”
“But if Hitchens is a man, he should fight me – that’s the fight the fans want to see,” he said. “I still want to fight Richardson.”
Duarte is ready to fight others besides Hitchens, and he’s had the benefit of eight weeks of training camp to do so relatively quickly.
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“I’m ready to fight anyone. I’d love to fight ‘Pitbull’ [Isaac Cruz],” Duarte said of the stocky slugger, who rarely participates in anything other than fan-friendly firefights.
“I recognize what ‘Pitbull’ has done for boxing – all the sacrifices he’s gone through to get himself to where he is now and I would love for him to give me this opportunity because everyone knows style makes the fight and it’s going to be a bloody war that the fans will love.
Duarte continued: “I would fight any champion, whether it’s Gary Antoine Russell, Shakur Stevenson or Dalton Smith.
“I’ve earned my chance to be a world champion. I’m ready for anyone.”
Duarte may not have lost in Las Vegas, but it won’t feel like a win unless he gets paid properly and gets another fight with Hitchens or another champion.
