Richardson Hitchins vs Oscar Duarte Preview Feb. 21st, 2026
Unbeaten IBF Junior Welterweight Champion Richardson Hitchins of Brooklyn, New York defends his title for the second time this Saturday, February, 21st when he takes on Oscar Duarte of Mexico. Hitchins last fought in June when he stopped former IBF/WBA/WBO Lightweight Champion George Kambosos Jr of Australia in the eighth round. The 12-rounder from Las Vegas, Nevada can be seen live on DAZN pay-per-view in most nations on the undercard of the Ryan Garcia vs Mario Barrios tilt. Hitchins won the belt in December, 2024 when he edged Liam Paro by a split decision. Duarte last boxed in August when he just got past Kenneth Sims Jr. via a 12-round majority decision.
Hitchins vs Duarte Jr. Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Oscar Duarte +366
- Richardson Hitchins -550
My Pick
Hitchins is 28 years old and makes the ring walk with a perfect mark of 20-0 with 8 Ko’s and has boxed 138 rounds since making his pro debut in 2017. Before that he enjoyed a pretty good amateur career as he fought for Haiti at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and was beaten by Gary Antuanne Russell of America. Hitchins was born in New York to Haitian parents but failed to make the American Olympic boxing squad so represented Haiti instead. He stands 5-feet-10-inches tall with a 74-inch reach.
When it comes to power, his current knockout ratio is below average as it clocks in at 40 per cent and he’s gone the distance in eight of his last 11 outings. He’s got a pretty good chin but has hit the canvas during his pro career. Hitchins first took a big step up in class against Jose Zepeda in September, 2023 and passed it with flying colours with a 12-round unanimous decision to win the vacant WBC Silver and WBO NABO Super Lightweight Titles and defend his IBF North American Belt. He also has wins over Gustavo Lemos, Tre’Sean Wiggins, Kevin Johnson, Argenis Mendez and Yomar Alamo and beat John Bauza in February, 2023 for the vacant WBC USA Super Lightweight Crown.
The 30-year-old Duarte enters the fight with a mark of 30-2-1 with 23 Ko’s and has fought 175 rounds since turning pro as a teenager back in 2013. He has quite a bit of power in his fists as 76.7 per cent of his wins have come by stoppage including 14 of his last 16. He was taken the distance by Botirzhon Akhmedov in November, 2024 but that was the first time since he lost to Adrian Estrella via a 10-round split decision in 2019 in a shot at the vacant WBC Continental Americas Lightweight Title.
His second and last defeat came at the hands of Ryan Garcia in December, 2023 when he was stopped in the eighth round. Duarte’s lone draw was a four-round split decision with Roberto Garcia in 2014. He stands 5-feet-9-inches tall with a 71-inch reach so gives up one inch in height and three inches in reach to Hitchins. His best wins have been against Sims, Akhmedov, Joseph Diaz, Juan Jose Montes, Rey Perez, former world champion Roger Gutierrez, Nestor Armas Hernandez, Humberto de Santiago and Javier Franco. He also stopped Andres Garcia in the fifth round in 2020 to win the vacant NABF Lightweight Title.
Prediction…
Hitchins has fine boxing skills while Duarte is more or less known for his power. Hitchins will needs to try and keep him at bay and evade that power. While I can vision Duarte putting in a workmanlike performance here I believe the only way he wins this fight is to stop Hitchins. There’s a good chance that the contest goes the distance though with Hitchins keeping his belt.
Hitchins has the better boxing skills.
Play: Hitchins -550 @ BetOnline.ag
Check out my recent boxing betting picks to see my current form.
Oscar Duarte betting • Richardson Hitchins betting