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Oscar Duarte predicts he will hit Richardson Hitchins

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Image: Oscar Duarte Sees Himself Running Over Richardson Hitchins

The fight will be a voluntary defense for Hitchins, a signal of trust rather than obligation. Duarte brings constant pressure and experience from Robert Garcia’s camp, making him credible enough to test the champion without forcing a mandatory situation.

Why he thinks pressure wins

“I don’t think he can last 12 rounds with me,” Duarte said Xicana boxing. “I’ll be like a train, I’ll run over it and through it. I don’t think it’ll be able to hold me for 12 rounds.”

Duarte rejected the notion that Hitchins underestimated him. He said the champion understood exactly what kind of task he was taking on and could have gone in a different direction with an easier defense. Duarte acknowledges that Hitchins took the fight, but considers the choice significant given the type of pressure he intends to apply.

Duarte recognized Hitchins as a skilled mobile operator, while emphasizing that it is most arduous to maintain these qualities when the pace is forced and exchanges are no longer selective. His confidence is based on the belief that sustained pressure ultimately destroys structure, especially when applied from the first rounds.

This view may appeal to those who saw Hitchins forced into uncomfortable stretches in the Gustavo Lemos fight, when the pressure briefly disrupted his usual distance control.

Hitchins has built his title run on range control and selective strike exchanges, which makes any opponent capable of maintaining pressure for rounds a significant variable rather than a stylistic formality.

Looking beyond February, Duarte already has another name in mind. He said he expected Ryan Garcia to beat Mario Barrios and believed that result would give him a rematch.

“I’m winning the championship and I want unification,” Duarte said. “I can go to 147, no problem.”

This confidence is effortless to express before the gong. The fight itself will show whether Duarte’s pressure can push Hitchins to a pace he won’t be able to maintain for twelve rounds.

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Boxing

Zuffa Boxing 07 debuts in the UK: Billam-Smith vs. Rozicki preview

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On Saturday, June 6, Zuffa Boxing will host its first event on British soil, when former cruiserweight world champion Chris Billam-Smith will face Canadian Ryan Rozicki at the Bournemouth International Centre. The card, billed as Zuffa Boxing 07, airs live Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland and streaming on Paramount+ in the United States and Canada. The main card starts at 7 p.m., with walk-ins scheduled for the main event at around 10 p.m.

The event is the first UK edition of Zuffa Boxing, a promotion created by TKO Group Holdings and Saudi entertainment company Sela and run by Dana White, Nick Khan and General Entertainment Authority CEO Turki Alalshikh. according to ESPN. This follows a multi-year broadcasting deal between Zuffa and Sky Sports announced in March.

Main event

Billam-Smith (21-2, 13 KO) returns to his hometown for his first fight in over a year. The Bournemouth fighter held the WBO cruiserweight title in 2023 and 2024 before losing it, and has fought at the Bournemouth International Center several times before. He is coached by Shane McGuigan, who stated in promotional materials released for the card that Billam-Smith is constantly improving. Billam-Smith also said a future meeting with cruiserweight champion Zuffa Jai ​​Opetaia influenced his decision to sign with the promotion, telling Sky Sports the fight “will definitely happen.”

Rozicki (21-1-1, 20 KO), of Sydney Forks, Nova Scotia, has one of the highest strike rates on the card. He has been a professional since 2016 and his record since 2016 is 8-0-1 with seven knockouts, with 18 of his stoppages coming within three rounds. The cruiserweight fight is scheduled for 10 rounds.

Cooperation and fight in the heavyweight division

In a 10-round cruiserweight fight, Jack Massey (23-3, 13 KO) will face Chev Clarke (11-2, 8 KO). In the preliminary stage of the gala, the return of two-time Olympic bronze medalist from Kazakhstan Ivan Dychko (15-1, 14 KO) heavyweight against undefeated Briton Harvey Dykes (7-0-1). The 180 cm elevated Dychko is fighting for the first time since his defeat to Jermaine Franklin in September 2025. Dykes turned professional in 2023 after winning super heavyweight gold at the English National Amateur Championships.

British signatures to the bill

The card also features several recent Zuffa signings making their debuts with the organization, including Scotland’s Sam Hickey (4-0, 1 KO), welterweight Alex MacMillan (3-0, 2 KO) and lightweight heavyweight Leon Hughes (4-0, 3 KO). Hickey won gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games as an amateur and turned professional under the guidance of Team GB performance director Rob McCracken.

Full card

  • Chris Billam-Smith (21-2, 13 KO) vs. Ryan Rozicki (21-1-1, 20 KO), cruiserweight, 10 rounds
  • Jack Massey (23-3, 13 KO) vs. Chev Clarke (11-2, 8 KO), cruiserweight, 10 rounds
  • Lee Cutler (15-2, 7 KO) vs. Aaron Sutton (19-2, 3 KO), middleweight, 10 rounds
  • Stevie McKenna (15-1, 14 KO) vs. Casey James Streeter (15-3-2, 6 KO), middleweight, 8 rounds
  • Sam Hickey (4-0, 1 KO) vs. Todd Tompkins (4-0), middleweight, 6 rounds
  • Harvey Dykes (7-0-1) vs Ivan Dychko (15-1, 14 KO), heavyweight, 10 rounds
  • Leon Hughes (4-0, 3 KO) vs. Mario Vergiev (8-4, 5 KO), lightweight heavyweight, 6 rounds
  • Alex MacMillan (3-0, 2 KO) vs. Tyler Rivers (6-3), welterweight, 6 rounds

The three-fight preliminary card begins at 5 p.m., with the main card following at 7 p.m.

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Ryan Garcia wants to train with Naoya Inoue in Tokyo and broadcast it live

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Image: Ryan Garcia Wants To Train With Naoya Inoue In Tokyo And Stream It

The proposed sessions would bring together two world champions from different weight categories. Ryan currently holds the WBC welterweight title and Inoue is the undisputed junior featherweight champion.

A notable part of Ryan’s post was his willingness to stream workouts.

One of the things Ryan mentioned in his X post was his desire to stream workouts. Ryan didn’t say whether he would bring the idea to Naoya to see if he agreed with it or not, nor did he give a date when he would train with the Japanese star.

At this stage, Ryan’s comments appear to reflect purpose rather than final findings. Although he has publicly outlined the plan, Inoue has not announced any potential training session.

If training takes place, they will bring together champions separated by more than 20 pounds in weight. Ryan is fighting in the welterweight division, and Inoue is building his championship streak in the junior featherweight division.

The idea remains one Ryan hopes to implement during his visit to Tokyo, with the added possibility of giving fans a glimpse of the session via livestream.

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Tyson Fury ‘very interested’ in fighting ‘one of the most avoided heavyweights’: ‘Let’s do it’

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Tyson Fury ‘very interested’ in facing ‘one of the most avoided heavyweights’: “Let’s make it happen”

Tyson Fury is set to take part in the long-awaited clash with Anthony Joshua, but first he needs a warm-up. Now another challenger has been added to the fight, and Fury is “very interested” in the proposed fight.

The long-awaited clash between Fury and Joshua has finally been signed and will take place pending success in their tune-up fights. While Joshua is scheduled to face Kristian Prenga next month, Fury remains without an opponent for his August outing.

Promoter Frank Warren promised a “good” opponent but he recently ruled out the possibility of the “Gypsy King” facing Joshua’s former defeater Andy Ruiz Jr., who is believed to have priced himself out of the fight.

I’m talking to Play UKJoshua’s other rival, Jarrell Miller, has revealed that Fury is “very interested” in fighting him as he discusses a potential all-American clash with Deontay Wilder.

“I’ve been one of the most avoided heavyweights for a long time. We’re seeing it now. We’re trying to get Deontay Wilder out there. There’s no fight in front of him. I’m the top heavyweight in America right now, so we’re trying to make certain things happen. Let’s see if he can take control.”

“Tyson Fury is also very interested. I would love to fight these guys. Deontay or Tyson would be a wonderful fight for me. Let’s see if we can make it happen.”

Fury’s manager, Spencer Brown, recently confirmed both fighters’ desire to make the fight happen, but said Miller would likely not be able to complete a full training camp on time.

The American has already scored two victories in 2026, defeating both Kingsley Ibeh and Lenier Pero, and the 37-year-old hopes those triumphs will earn him another chance on the huge stage.

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