Oscar Duarte Says He Did Everything Right; Now He Wants His Full Purse

Contender says he made weight twice and was promised compensation backstage

Oscar Duarte says he fulfilled every contractual obligation before his title fight with Richardson Hitchins was canceled. Now he expects to receive the purse he says was promised.

Duarte had been scheduled to face Richardson Hitchins before the bout was called off, leaving the 30-year-old contender without the opportunity he spent months preparing for. For Duarte, the disappointment was layered. It was not just the missed title opportunity, but the camp, the weight cut, and the weeks away from home.

“I did everything I had to do,” Duarte said to Abraham Gonzalez Boxing. “I left my family in Mexico, came out here to train, and made weight twice. It was my best preparation. I was ready to be crowned world champion.”

Duarte confirmed he made weight at both official check-ins and said he arrived at the arena physically ready to compete. He described the camp as the strongest of his career, adding that he relocated for training and separated from his family in Chihuahua to ensure no distractions.

When the cancellation became official, Duarte said Golden Boy chairman Oscar De La Hoya approached him backstage.

“He told me there at the arena that I would be paid for the fight,” Duarte said. “That’s what we’re working on now with the team.”

The situation, he explained, is now being handled between management and the promoter. Duarte declined to speculate publicly about contract language, but made clear that from his standpoint, he upheld his end of the agreement.

“There are things that don’t depend on you,” he said. “When that happens, you focus on what you did. I did my part.”

Duarte also acknowledged the fans who traveled to Las Vegas to support him, including family members who drove more than 20 hours from Mexico. He said that support deepened the frustration of not being able to compete.

He plans to stay in the gym while awaiting clarity on both the purse and his next fight date. The immediate priority is securing the purse for a championship fight he trained for, made weight for, and was ready to walk to the ring for.

From Duarte’s standpoint, he did everything required of a challenger on fight week.