Richardson Hitchins vs. Oscar Duarte Keys to Victory: Breaking down tactics of each fighter

The Mario Barrios vs. Ryan Garcia stacked card is a big occasion for the super lightweight division Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, and live on DAZN PPV and Ultimate Tier.

After two new champions in Dalton Smith and Shakur Stevenson were crowned at 140 pounds last month, the other two titleholders, Richardson Hitchins and Gary Antuanne Russell, will look to defend their straps on the Barrios-Garcia card. Frank Martin will also scrap with Nahir Albright in a super lightweight tilt.

Of all, Hitchins has the top spot. He will aim to retain his IBF title against a rugged Oscar Duarte in chief support to the Barrios vs. Garcia headliner. Hitchins (20-0, 8 KOs) is coming off an eighth-round TKO of George Kambosos Jr. in June, while Duarte (30-2-1, 23 KOs) last generated a majority decision over Kenneth Sims Jr. in August.

Will Hitchins deliver another masterclass of sweet science dominance behind the jab? Or will Duarte power his way to an upset? DAZN News analyzes the Keys to Victory for both fighters.

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Richardson Hitchins’ Keys to Victory

Assert the jab early

Richarson Hitchins has one of the best jabs — if not the best jab — in all of boxing. It is always sharp, snappy and accurate with a piston-like delivery.

Smacking an aggressive Oscar Duarte with this shot will not only establish a healthy range for the champion, but it could also put Hitchins in the driver’s seat of controlling the tempo and flow of this fight.

Plus, with three inches of reach advantage, Hitchins asserting the jab against a forward-fighting Duarte just makes good tactical sense.

Stab to the body

In being a high-level ring operator, Hitchins has an innate sense of knowing when to stab to the body with the same jab. Against George Kambosos Jr., Hitchins softened up the body enough to stop the Australian.

Duarte is a lot more aggressive and more potent of a puncher than Kambosos, but Hitchins could still utilize the stab jab to force the Mexican warrior back in stalling the challenger’s motor along the way.

Pick Duarte apart from the outside, take educated chances on the inside

Once Hitchins has his jab working effectively, he could start picking Duarte apart from the outside with slick, stinging combinations.

Depending on the regularity at which these combos land, Hitchins should look to take educated gambles on the inside toward more significant damage. After all, Hitchins did promise a stoppage.

If he wants to make good on that vow, this could be the route.

Oscar Duarte’s Keys to Victory

Ravage the body

Oscar Duarte is a body snatcher at super lightweight. The way he fights forward and ravages the body incessantly is a huge key to victory for the Mexican challenger.

But doing this will likely entail Duarte working his way inside of Richardson Hitchins’ jab or eating a couple of jabs just to smother and tee off on the champ in cramped quarters.

The latter could be worth it as Duarte often finds paydirt with his barrage of body blows which Hitchins would certainly feel.

Launch the overhand right

Duarte has an overhand right in his possession and if he feels stuck on the outside due to Hitchins’ masterful jab, the challenger should look to detonate the shot to shock the champ.

The blow carries power and could dramatically alter the course of this fight for Duarte if he is able to land it.

Do not get reckless

Hitchins and Duarte certainly did not mince words during this buildup to their fight with each man promising a knockout.

During Friday’s weigh-in, Duarte also vowed to go for the knockout from the very first round. In turn, Hitchins fully expects Duarte to get sloppy and reckless in his attempt.

Duarte must apply pressure as painting Hitchins in the corner gives him the best chance to score the upset to become the new IBF super lightweight world champion. That said, Duarte cannot afford to have big swings and misses, overextending himself on wild attempts without control. Hitchins is far too skilled and will surgically carve him up if Duarte gets too reckless.

Therefore, Duarte must take his chances but be smart about them. He fails to do so and his quest to become champ will be dashed.

Watch Barrios vs. Garcia only on DAZN PPV

The  WBC welterweight world title is on the line this Saturday - Feb 21 - as Mario Barrios and Ryan Garcia go toe-to-toe, exclusively on DAZN. Buy the PPV as a one-off cost or get included with DAZN Ultimate Tier. 

For more information, pricing and to buy, click here.