LAS VEGAS — Oscar Duarte got the win but not the approval. In a gritty, back-and-forth battle on the undercard of David Benavidez vs. Gilberto Ramirez, Duarte survived a much tougher-than-expected test against Angel Fierro, earning a split decision victory that left much of the crowd at T-Mobile Arena voicing their displeasure. Judges scored the fight 116-112, 116-112 for Duarte, while the dissenting card read 115-113 for Fierro.
Entering as a heavy favorite with odds as wide as 10-to-1 Duarte (31-2-1, 23 KOs) was expected to handle Fierro comfortably. Instead, Fierro (23-5-2, 18 KOs) delivered a relentless performance that forced Duarte into a competitive, physical fight from start to finish.
The tension spilled into the final round, where Duarte came out aggressively, knowing the fight was likely hanging in the balance. Fierro answered back and even climbed the ropes at the final bell, convinced he had done enough to win.
Weight Controversy Adds Fuel
The buildup to the fight was already contentious. Fierro came in 3.4 pounds overweight. Forcing Duarte to accept a $40,000 penalty from his opponent’s purse rather than cancel a second consecutive training camp.
Despite the frustration, Duarte chose to move forward a decision that ultimately paid off on the scorecards, though not without complications.
Crowd Reaction Says It All
Despite the victory, Duarte was met with loud boos during his post-fight interview a reflection of how close and contentious the bout appeared to fans in attendance. For Duarte, the win was still meaningful given the difficult circumstances surrounding the fight.
Bigger Picture at 140
This bout came after a frustrating stretch for Duarte, including a canceled title opportunity against Richardson Hitchins earlier this year. Now, while he remains a top contender at junior welterweight, questions remain about his ceiling following a performance that fell short of expectations.
For Fierro, the loss may have elevated his stock despite the result proving he can compete with top-tier opposition.
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Robert LaMar is a Deputy Editor for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
