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Hitchins Withdraws Hours Before IBF Title Defense, Duarte’s Title Shot Postponed

Organizers elevated Gary Antuanne Russell vs Andy Hiraoka to the co-main slot following the cancellation.

Overview

  • The Ring announced the cancellation just hours before the BarriosGarcia card at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
  • ESPN reported Hitchins fell ill after the weigh-in and was vomiting prior to being removed from the event.
  • Gary Antuanne Russell’s WBA 140-pound title defense against Andy Hiraoka was moved into the late slot on the card.
  • Oscar Duarte did not compete after no replacement could be secured, and no medical details or new date have been disclosed.
  • Hitchins is 20-0 after a June 2025 stoppage of George Kambosos Jr, while Duarte is 30-2-1 on a four-fight winning streak that includes an August majority decision over Kenneth Sims Jr.