In a surprising turn of events, the highly anticipated super lightweight world title bout between Richardson Hitchins and Oscar Duarte was abruptly cancelled just hours before the scheduled start. The IBF champion, Hitchins, who boasts an impressive record of 20-0 with 8 KOs, was reportedly struck by a sudden illness, rendering him unable to compete on the DAZN pay-per-view card that featured the Mario Barrios vs. Ryan Garcia main event.
Hitchins, who claimed his world title in a thrilling victory against Liam Paro in 2024, was set to make his second title defense against Duarte. However, fate had other plans. According to reports, Hitchins began to feel unwell after participating in the IBF’s second-day weigh-in, a mandatory procedure for all boxers competing in a world championship bout. The exact nature of his illness remains undisclosed.
The cancellation came as a shock to both fans and pundits alike. DAZN analyst Chris Mannix expressed his disappointment on the broadcast, stating, “It was a terrific matchup. World title on the line for Oscar Duarte. His opportunity to fight for a world title for the first time, win a world title, get bigger and better things. And it’s disappointing for Richardson Hitchins…”
Mannix further elaborated that Hitchins had taken extra precautions for this bout, hiring a new nutritionist to ensure he made weight comfortably. However, despite appearing fine during the rehydration process, something went awry in the hours that followed, leading to his sudden illness.
As of now, neither Hitchins nor Duarte has issued a statement regarding the cancellation. It remains uncertain whether the bout will be rescheduled, leaving fans in a state of limbo. This unexpected turn of events serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of the sport of boxing.
Despite the disappointment, the show must go on. The Barrios vs. Garcia card promises to deliver an exciting night of boxing, with several other high-stakes bouts still on the schedule. Fans can only hope that Hitchins makes a swift recovery and that both he and Duarte will have the opportunity to settle their score in the ring in the near future.
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