Hitchins cited a bad stomach February 21, but Duarte maintains that wasn’t true as he turns the page to a new fight partner in Angel Fierro on May 2 at the same Las Vegas venue in T-Mobile Arena.

“Richardson Hitchins, you are a [coward],” Duarte told The Ring while showing off his two middle fingers after a recent workout. “Hitchins quit and didn’t want to fight me. He got scared at the last minute, and that’s not a real champion.”

Certainly, there is no love lost between the two.

Hitchins has since signed a deal with Zuffa Boxing and vacated his title to campaign as a welterweight as he continues fanning the flames with Duarte on social media, ridiculing the Mexican’s shadowboxing footage.

"Imagine me investing in a whole 13-week camp, draining my body to the most extent, making weight, missing a seven-figure payday and giving up my world title that I worked my whole career for to be scared of Duarte and have him run with whatever narratives he wants,” said Hitchins. “Duarte can meet me at 147 pounds. I’ll fight him whenever he wants."

While Hitchins continues pouring salt on the wounds, Duarte is positioning himself for more meaningful fights down the line.

“Mentally it was tough not being able to fight for a world title, but everything happens for a reason,” said Duarte. “Hitchins doesn’t matter to me anymore, because I’m focused on myself now and I’m ready for whatever comes next. After I win this fight, I want to fight Isaac Cruz.”

Duarte-Fierro should deliver, and the all-Mexican matchup will be featured on the card headlined by David Benavidez and Gilberto Ramirez.

The fighters also have familiarity with each other.

Duarte (30-2-1, 23 KOs) is trained by Robert Garcia, who also spent time over the last year coaching Fierro from his Moreno Valley, California, compound. But Fierro was forced to change camps once the dance with Duarte was presented to him.

Duarte is riding a four-fight winning streak with Garcia, beating Kenneth Sims, Miguel Madueno, Botirzhon Akhmedov and Joseph Diaz following his December 2023 knockout loss against Ryan Garcia.

Fierro (23-4-2, 18 KOs), meanwhile, saw his career go up in flames last year.

After losing a war to “Pitbull” Cruz, Fierro botched a weight cut and failed to weigh in for their July rematch, and the fight was canceled. Fierro returned in October for a tune-up in Mexico but was disqualified after kicking unheralded opponent Abraham Cordero.

“Fierro is a good fighter, from what I saw in the gym,” said Duarte.

“We never sparred with each other, but I know he’s going to bring a good fight. I’m in my best shape, and I am entering the ring with a chip on my shoulder after everything that happened with Hitchins.”

Manouk Akopyan is The Ring’s lead writer. Follow him on X and Instagram: @ManoukAkopyan