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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 20: IBF super lightweight champion Richardson Hitchins poses during a ceremonial weigh-in at T-Mobile Arena on February 20, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Hitchins is scheduled to defend his title against Oscar Duarte on February 21. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Ryan Garcia vs. Mario Barrios just lost its co-main event.
Richardson Hitchins was supposed to defend his IBF junior-welterweight title against Oscar Duarte on Saturday night in Las Vegas, but just hours before their bout, Hitchins withdrew from the event due to illness.
Breaking: Richardson Hitchins is OUT of his junior-welterweight title fight against Oscar Duarte due to illness, The Ring has learned. pic.twitter.com/SQ6cXds4Dh
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) February 21, 2026
Sporting a 20-0 professional record, Hitchins, 28, was entering this bout off the biggest win of his career, a stoppage of George Kambosos Jr. in June. He was a sizable betting favorite over Duarte, coming in at greater than a four-to-one favorite.
Sporting a professional record of 30-2-1, Duarte, 30, is riding a four-fight win streak since his knockout loss to Ryan Garcia in 2023. Most recently, Duarte won a majority decision over Kenneth Sims Jr. in August.
Hithcins and Duarte had a heated buildup to this fight. There’s no word yet on what specific illness forced Hitchins out of the event or on a timeline for rebooking the matchup with Duarte.
The Garcia vs. Barrios undercard starts at 6 p.m. ET, with the main card starting at 8 p.m. on DAZN.
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