Inside and outside the ring, Mexican super lightweight “La Migraña” Oscar Duarte projects an unmistakable norteño aura, amplifying the aggressive style he credits with forcing Richardson Hitchins to withdraw from their scheduled title bout Feb. 21.
“Se rajó.”
“He chickened out,” Duarte told Boxing Social. He believes Hitchins moved to Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing to avoid risking his undefeated record before earning a payday, dismissing the reported health concerns as an excuse.
“He was totally healthy at the weigh-in,” Duarte said. “I believe he was intimidated, and that’s okay because I still crowned myself champion that night, and I’ll prove it on May 2.”
Though the title opportunity slipped away, Duarte (30-2-1, 23 KOs) now turns his attention to former stablemate Angel “Tashiro” Fierro.
Fierro (23-4-2, 18 KOs) split with trainer Robert Garcia late last year following a controversial disqualification for kicking his opponent in October in Tijuana, Mexico. He now enters this matchup with Garcia in Duarte’s corner, with the Chihuahuense eager to make a statement on this monumental date for boxing.
With Fierro having pushed former world champion Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz in one of Cruz’s toughest fights, and Duarte’s lone setback coming against Ryan Garcia, their clash adds more powder to a Cinco de Mayo weekend card built to fuse around all-Mexican matchups.
“The fight is very attractive,” Duarte said. “Tashiro is a tough fighter, so he will come to fight. He also knows my style is to come and fight, so it will be a war.”
For his last preparation against Hitchins, Duarte had the three main Garcias cheering from the ringside, watching his sparring. Big G, Robert, and Mikey. “Va a noquear,” the Garcia patriarch confidently said. And they truly believed it.
Now with Fierro fighting for another chance to right his wrongs, a knockout either way seems even more inevitable.
Should he get the victory, Duarte made his intentions clear. He wants another Mexican showdown, now with Cruz.
“Voy por él,” he said.
The bout is part of a stacked Cinco de Mayo weekend event headlined by David Benavidez vs. Gilberto Ramirez.The pay-per-view undercard also features Armando Reséndiz defending his WBA super middleweight title against former champion Jaime Munguía, while rising prospect Isaac Lucero faces Ismael Flores. Opening the card, unbeaten contenders Jorge Chavez and Jose Sanchez meet in a super bantamweight bout.
How to watch Benavidez vs. Ramirez fight card (May 2, 2026):
The event takes place Saturday, May 2, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The pay-per-view begins at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT. Fans can purchase the event on Prime Video regardless of membership, as well as via DAZN. The telecast will also be available through traditional cable and satellite providers.
