Chicago, Illinois Oscar Duarte (30-2-1, 23 COs) has Kenneth Sims jr. In a WBA Super Lightweight Title Eliminator Match (22-3-1, 8 Kos) on Saturday night facing the Credits Arena in Chicago, Illinois, and was able to decide by a closest majority.
Judges Mike Fitzgerald (115-113) and Nathan Palmer (116-112) recorded it for Duarte, while all Gallardo had it a draw (114-114). Both boxers landed the same number of total strokes in the match at 229, but it was the pressure of Duarte who gave him the lead and landed more power punch, 172 to 110 (Compubox). His strategy was to put tremendous pressure and attack the body to reduce Sims’s lateral movement. Duarte said he did not feel that Sims’ bumps were so strong, but felt that it was his speed and timing that made him a difficult opponent. It was Oscar’s fourth consecutive victory and the thirtieth of his career.
Oscar showed visible improvements under coach Robert Garcia; He improved offensive and defensively. In this match, his defense looked much stricter, like Canelo Alvarez. When asked about his defense improvements, he said, “That’s right, it’s something with Robert Garcia; I ended my training camp, and they brought the defense into me. So there was tried to perfect it with every fight, and in this fight I felt good … the defense.” Robert Garcia has one of the most talented stables in boxing, and Duarte can Spar with these competent boxers, which allows him to grow and improve in the ring. He is now looking for fights with the very best in the division and wants to fight against the champions at 140.
Duarte was asked about the current champions, which one he wants to fight: ‘I would choose Pitbull Cruz, Subriel Matias or (Gary Antuanne) Russell. Whatever one of the champions, I go to the title, and whoever comes my way, I will take them out. ‘ The most fan -friendly match would be against the interim WBC Super Lightweight Champion, Pitbull Cruz. This would arouse great fan interest, which matched two Mexican warriors. It is rumored that a potential October card is in work between Golden Boy Promotions and Prime Minister Boxing Champions, which Keith Thurman opposite Vergil Ortiz and Frank Martin to Arnold Barboza jr. The proposed battle between Duarte and Cruz would be added, also a viable option for that map, as both fighters are promoted by the various companies.
Duarte also mentioned that as soon as he became champion, he wanted to avenge his loss of Ryan Garcia because he felt it was a troubled score he would like to tackle.
Last updated on 08/04/2025
 faced Kenneth Sims Jr. in a WBA super lightweight title eliminator match (22-3-1, 8 KOs) on Saturday night){kind=link}