Robert Garcia says Duarte is unlikely to pursue the vacant IBF route because of his close relationship with stablemate Lindolfo Delgado
Oscar Duarte could miss out on a vacant IBF junior welterweight title fight without ever stepping into the ring for it. Trainer Robert Garcia says Duarte is unlikely to face stablemate Lindolfo Delgado for the belt despite both fighters being positioned near the top of the IBF rankings.
“I had dinner with Pepe Gomez and Memo Rocha, Duarte’s promoter and manager, and we are all on board that Duarte will not proceed with the IBF route against Lindolfo Delgado unless Duarte says otherwise,” said Robert Garcia to The Ring.
“But I don’t see that happening because we work closely together. We all agreed that Duarte will pursue the WBC route for his next title shot.”
Garcia also suggested Duarte’s recent split decision win over Angel Fierro was affected by months of nonstop preparation after Duarte’s planned February title fight against Hitchins collapsed hours before fight night when Hitchins became ill.
“What affected Duarte in the Fierro fight was that he came in off back-to-back training camps without a break. He was overtrained, and that’s why his performance wasn’t as good as we expected,” said Robert.
“It affected his physical abilities. He got more tired than he should have. I think that was a problem, but he dug deep, sucked it up, and did what was necessary to get the win.”
The comments came after Duarte struggled through a tougher-than-expected fight against Fierro earlier this month in Las Vegas. Fierro came in 3.4 pounds overweight for the bout, but Garcia said Duarte’s team still moved forward because they did not want another cancellation after the failed Hitchins fight.
Garcia also made it clear he believes Duarte would already be a world champion if the Hitchins bout had gone ahead.
“I have no doubt Oscar would have beaten Hitchins in February and would be a world champion, just knowing how he was prepared going into that fight,” Garcia said.