Richardson Hitchins Ignores Zuffa Reality to Blast Duarte on Social Media

Hitchins targets Duarte for a future bout following their canceled February fight and responds publicly on social media

Richardson Hitchins has called out Oscar Duarte for a future fight following their canceled February bout. The IBF champion made the demand publicly as questions remain over whether the matchup will be rescheduled.

The IBF junior welterweight champion posted the message on X, writing: “IF OSCAR DUARTE WANTS TO FIGHT ME SO BAD TELL THAT PUSSYS LETS SET IT UP AFTER HIS NEXT FIGHT B** **** FIGHTER.”

The callout lands months after their scheduled February 2026 bout fell apart at the last minute. Hitchins withdrew on fight day due to illness after both fighters had already made weight, forcing the cancellation of what was set to be his first title defense.

Duarte remained active following that situation, while Hitchins has yet to return to the ring. The timing of the new callout quickly became the focus in the replies.

Fan reaction centered less on the demand itself and more on Hitchins’ prior withdrawal. Several responses pointed to the February cancellation, questioning whether a new agreement would actually lead to the fight taking place.

The matchup itself remains unresolved. Duarte still has a fight scheduled before any potential meeting, and no formal negotiations have been confirmed for a rescheduled bout.

The move to Zuffa Boxing essentially changes the entire board for Richardson Hitchins. When you look at how Dana White has structured this new venture, the business of boxing is clearly taking priority over traditional sanctioning body rankings.

Zuffa Boxing recently announced they will only recognize eight weight classes, mirroring the original eight from the early 20th century. Notably, light welterweight (140 lbs) is not one of them.

They didn’t sigh Hitchins to see his value erased by a high-risk, low-reward opponent like Oscar Duarte.

Duarte is a dangerous power puncher. In the eyes of a promoter like Dana White, if Hitchins is going to risk his undefeated record, it’s going to be against a “Zuffa-approved” name that moves the needle for their Paramount+ deal, not a grudge match from a previous promotional era.

It’s much more likely Zuffa matches Hitchins against someone like Conor Benn. Hitchins is fighting a PR war. The “he was scared” narrative from the February cancellation is sticking to him.

By calling Duarte a “bum” and demanding the fight, he’s trying to flip the script and act like he’s the one chasing, even if his new contract makes the fight nearly impossible to authorize.

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