“I fight February 21st in Vegas for the world title against Richardson Hitchins,” Duarte said on X.
The fight represents Duarte’s first opportunity to fight for a major world title and immediately puts him in a high-profile position after a steady rebuilding period over the past two years. It also presents a familiar stylistic question for Hitchins, whose technical control has sometimes come under pressure against fighters willing to stay in his space.
Duarte fights on the front foot and throws often. He fights in the same pressure-first manner that Gustavo Lemos used against Hitchins in April 2024. Hitchins won a unanimous decision in that bout, but the fight raised questions about how consistently he can put structure when pressure is sustained.
For Duarte, the title shot comes after a period of constant activity rather than a single peak victory. Duarte has won four straight fights since his knockout loss to Ryan Garcia in December 2023. He fought twice in 2024 and again in 2025.
Those wins came against opponents who weren’t positioned to move him directly to a belt, but they served a purpose. Duarte stayed sharp, taking laps and rebuilding without disappearing from competition. It matters in a twelve-round fight against a champion who relies on rhythm and control.
Hitchins remains the favourite. His defensive discipline, footwork and ability to limit turnovers give him the tools to manage pressure-heavy opponents. The question is not whether he can win rounds, but whether he can do so cleanly enough to avoid the kind of turmoil that followed his last major Test.
This is not a new defense or a busy fight. This is a style match that demands attention from the opening rounds. Duarte didn’t need to outbox Hitchins to change the tone of the fight. He just needs to stay present long enough for pressure to become inevitable.
