Richardson Hitchins’ title defense against Oscar Duarte was scrapped on fight day after the undefeated champion fell ill following the IBF rehydration test, leaving the junior welterweight division in sudden uncertainty.
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Richardson Hitchins’ hold on the IBF junior welterweight title is now in question after illness forced him out of his scheduled defense against Oscar Duarte just hours before they were due to step into the ring on Saturday night in Las Vegas. The fight is of the Mario Barrios vs. Ryan Garcia pay-per-view card at T-Mobile Arena pulled after Hitchins was physically unable to compete, ending one of the card’s most important title bouts without a punch thrown.
The undefeated Brooklyn native made weight at the 140-pound limit on Friday and returned for the IBF’s same-day rehydration check Saturday morning, 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 within the limit. Soon after, Hitchins reportedly fell ill, with sources citing food poisoning as the cause. His condition quickly deteriorated, and he withdrew from the fight before the event began.
Event organizers did not have time to secure a replacement opponent or save the title fight. The rest of the DAZN pay-per-view card continued as planned, with other matches moved to fill the vacant co-main event slot.
Hitchins, undefeated through 20 professional fights with eight knockouts, was making the second defense of the IBF title he won in December 2024 with a decision win over Liam Paro. His most recent appearance solidified his position 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 to fight for his first major world title. The Mexican contender secured the opportunity in a voluntary defense arrangement, while IBF mandatory challenger Lindolfo Delgado was up next.
Hitchins’ withdrawal introduces immediate uncertainty surrounding the IBF belt. The sanctioning body has already prepared 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’ previous comments about the IBF’s strict rehydration rule. His rehydration weight on 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 was beginning to strengthen. His no-contest removal from the card leaves his title intact for now, but his grip on the belt looks less secure than it did when he stepped on the scale just 24 hours earlier.
Last updated on 02/21/2026 at 18:56
