OSCAR Duarte proved his credentials as a genuine world level operator last year, bouncing back from his first knockout defeat to claim two successive career-best victories.
After originally agreeing to take on two-time world champion Regis Prograis, Duarte, 28-2-1 (22 KOs), will instead face late-notice replacement Miguel Madueno, 31-3 (28 KOs), in an intriguing battle after a shoulder injury ruled ‘Rougarou’ out.
Duarte suffered his first professional defeat when he lost a split decision to Adrian Estrella back in 2019, but a run of 11 consecutive knockout victories would follow and eventually land ‘La Migrana’ a shot on the big stage against Ryan Garcia in December 2023.
Although he caused problems for ‘King Ry’, Duarte’s attempt at the upset was brought to an end in the eighth round when he became the latest victim of a trademark Garcia left hook, leaving him wobbled, floored, and unable to recover before referee James Green reached his ten-count.
Once again, Duarte responded to that defeat well and knocked out former super-featherweight world champion JoJo Diaz upon his ring return, before receiving the much-craved invitation to fight in Saudi Arabia on the ‘Latino Night’ bill last November.
In what many had deemed a 50/50 affair, Duarte was able to claim a unanimous decision against the deceptively recorded Botirzhon Akhmedov, 10-4 (9 KOs), capping off a tremendous calendar which saw him rise to number nine in the WBA rankings.
Despite Prograis’ withdrawal, a gruelling test can be expected for Duarte come fight night, with game, front-footed replacement Madueno likely to provide a stern challenge in what is anticipated to be a gritty, old-school showdown, typical of those hailing from the proud fighting nation of Mexico.
Nicknamed ‘Explosivo’, Madueno is 1-2 in his last three outings, but those defeats came against solid names in Steve Claggett and Keyshawn Davis.
Meanwhile, his lone victory of last year – a split decision win against Justin Pauldo, who defeated former IBF super-featherweight champion Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov upon his comeback last weekend – is one that has aged well.
Upon the announcement of his involvement, Madueno insisted that he has not accepted this challenge just to make up the numbers.
“In this sport, you never know when that call will come – that’s why I stay ready,” he told DAZN.
“This isn’t an easy fight, but that’s exactly why I do this. Boxing isn’t just what I do; it’s who I am. I live it, breathe it, and right now, I’m hungry to get back in the win column.
“Oscar Duarte is a tough challenge, and I respect him for taking me on as a late replacement. But I’m not going to Anaheim to test my luck, I’m going to win. I’m going to fight, throw everything I’ve got, and prove that nothing great happens without taking your best shot.”
Duarte-Madueno will take place this Saturday, February 15, at the Honda Center in Anaheim, topping a card that also features the likes of Kenneth Sims Jr, 21-2-1 (8 KOs), Ricardo Sandoval, 25-2 (18 KOs), and Darius Fulghum, 13-0 (11 KOs).
