Richardson Hitchins’ title defense against Oscar Duarte was scrapped on fight day after the unbeaten champion became ill following the IBF rehydration check, leaving the junior welterweight division in sudden uncertainty
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Richardson Hitchins’ grip on the IBF junior welterweight title now carries a question mark after illness forced him out of his scheduled defense against Oscar Duarte just hours before they were due to enter the ring Saturday night in Las Vegas. The fight was pulled from the Mario Barrios vs. Ryan Garcia pay-per-view card at T-Mobile Arena after Hitchins became physically unable to compete, ending one of the card’s most important title bouts without a punch thrown.
The unbeaten Brooklyn native had made weight Friday at the 140-pound limit and returned Saturday morning for the IBF’s same-day rehydration check, where he registered 149.4 pounds, just under the 150-pound maximum allowed by the sanctioning body. Duarte came in at 149.6 pounds, also inside the limit. Shortly afterward, Hitchins reportedly became ill, with sources indicating food poisoning as the cause. His condition deteriorated quickly, and he withdrew from the bout before the event began.
Event organizers had no time to secure a replacement opponent or salvage the title fight. The rest of the DAZN pay-per-view card continued as planned, with other bouts shifted to fill the vacant co-main event slot.
Hitchins, unbeaten through 20 professional fights with eight knockouts, was preparing to make the second defense of the IBF title he won in December 2024 with a decision victory over Liam Paro. His most recent appearance had strengthened his standing at 140 pounds, stopping former unified lightweight champion George Kambosos Jr. in eight rounds last June at Madison Square Garden Theater.
Duarte, who entered the night with 30 wins, two losses, and one draw, had been set to challenge for his first major world title. The Mexican contender had secured the opportunity in a voluntary defense arrangement, while IBF mandatory challenger Lindolfo Delgado remained next in line.
Hitchins’ withdrawal introduces immediate uncertainty around the IBF belt. The sanctioning body had already been preparing to enforce the mandatory defense against Delgado, and Hitchins may now be required to address that obligation once he recovers. Any decision to pursue other fights or change divisions would likely require IBF approval or the title to be vacated.
A move to welterweight has been discussed in recent months, particularly given Hitchins’ past comments about the IBF’s strict rehydration rule. His rehydration weight Saturday showed he remained within the required limit, and sources indicated the illness was unrelated to the clause.
Saturday’s cancellation halted Hitchins’ progress at a moment when his position in the division had begun to strengthen. His removal from the card without competing leaves his title intact for now, but his control of the belt looks less secure than it did when he stepped on the scale just 24 hours earlier.
Last Updated on 2026/02/21 at 6:56 PM
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