Ever since Hitchins pulled out of his IBF junior welterweight title defense that was scheduled for February 21 in Las Vegas due to illness, Duarte has called him every unkind word you can think of. Even now, despite Duarte getting ready to face Angel Fierro on May 2 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Duarte continues to rip the Brooklyn native.

Hitchins, 28, has stuck with his sickness story, but he’s attempting to turn the page and start a new chapter in his career.

Both Hitchins and his manager, Keith Connolly, announced two weeks ago that the 2016 Olympian signed a multi-fight deal with Zuffa Boxing. He also recently announced that he’s dropping his IBF 140-pound strap and moving up to the welterweight division.

However, just because he’s fighting at 147 pounds, doesn’t mean his rivalry with Duarte (30-2-1, 23 KOs) is now over.

“Tell Duarte if I'm so scared to fight him, meet me at 147,” Hitchins wrote on his X account. “I'll fight him whenever he wants, literally whenever his manager can reach out, whenever!”

Hitchins now begins his new journey, one that he hopes is filled with big fights. In the past, he’s mentioned fighting the likes of Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney, the welterweight division's WBC and WBO champions. But what he’ll look forward to more than anything, is not having to kill himself to make weight.

Hitchins (20-0, 8 KOs) has never been a fan of the IBF’s weight stipulations. When fighting for that specific sanctioning body, fighters must adhere to a 10-pound second day morning weigh-in. Unless that bout is a unification.

All in all, Hitchins doesn’t understand why the boxing world has chastised him for his decision to pull out just hours before their fight. The way he sees it, he had every incentive to move forward with it.

“Imagine Me investing in a whole 13 week camp, draining my body to the most extent,” Hitchins said. “Make weight, miss a 7 figure pay day, and give up my world title that I worked my whole life for to be scared of Duarte. Run with whatever narratives y’all want. I’m one of the best fighters in the sport!”