Hitchins falls ill, has IBF title defense vs. Duarte called off
ESPN • • sports
Key Points:
- Richardson Hitchins' IBF junior welterweight title defense against Oscar Duarte was canceled due to Hitchins falling ill shortly after making weight.
- The fight was scheduled as the co-main event on "The Ring: High Stakes" card alongside Mario Barrios' WBC welterweight title defense against Ryan Garcia.
- Hitchins had expressed concerns about the IBF's rehydration clause, which limits fighters to no more than 10 pounds over their weight class limit, citing its impact on his previous performance.
- The cancellation ends the anticipated matchup fueled by recent trash talk between Hitchins and Duarte, with no current plans announced for rescheduling or Hitchins moving up in weight.
- Gary Antuanne Russell's W
