The fight will serve as Hitchens’ voluntary defense, a choice that signals confidence rather than obligation. Duarte brings constant pressure and experience from Robert Garcia’s camp, giving him enough credibility to test the champion without forcing situations.

Why he thinks pressure will win

“I don’t think he can last 12 rounds with me,” Duarte said. sika boxing. “I’m going to run over him and go through him like a train. I don’t think he can last 12 rounds with me.”

Duarte dismissed the idea that Hitchens underestimated him. He said the champion knew exactly what he was being tasked with and could take another direction that was easier to defend. Duarte praised Hitchens for taking the fight, but felt the selection was significant given the pressure he was intended to bring.

Duarte acknowledges that Hitchens is a skilled mobile operator, but insists those qualities are difficult to maintain once the tempo is forced and exchanges are no longer selective. His confidence is built on the belief that continued pressure will eventually erode the structure, especially when applied from the first round onwards.

It’s a sentiment that may resonate with those who saw Hitchens forced into uncomfortable stretches against Gustavo Lemos, when the pressure briefly disrupted his usual distance control.

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

“I’m competing for a championship and I want to unite,” Duarte said. “I can jump to 147, no problem.”

That confidence is easy to express before the bell rings. The fight itself will show whether Duarte’s pressure can get Hitchens to a pace he couldn’t control over twelve rounds.