Boxing News

Home

Quizzes

Newsletter

Oscar Duarte vs Miguel Madueno: Who Wins?

Originally posted on Fights Around The World
By Ryan O'Hara | Last updated Feb 13, 2025 5:44 PM ET

Oscar Duarte was preparing to face a tough, rugged fighter, but so, too, is his replacement opponent.

After his original foe, former world champion Regis Prograis, was forced to withdraw due to suffering a shoulder injury, Duarte (28-2-1, 22 KOs) will instead take on Miguel Madueno (31-3, 28 KOs) in an intriguing crossroads fight. The scheduled 12-round bout will serve as the main event of a Golden Boy Promotions card at Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

Duarte suffered his first professional loss in 2019 when he dropped a split decision to Adrian Estella, but subsequently scored 11 consecutive knockout victories before getting KO’d himself by none other than Ryan Garcia in December 2023 in a bout where he was performing reasonably well before getting caught with the popular fighter’s signature left hook in the eighth round. However, “La Migrana” responded with two wins in 2024, including a KO victory over former junior lightweight titleholder JoJo Diaz in April and a points win over Botirzhon Akhmedov last November on the highly-touted Riyadh Season’ Latino Night’ card last November in Saudi Arabia.

Despite losing out on the Prograis fight, don’t be surprised if this erupts into a war. Duarte is an aggressive pressure fighter, as is Madueno, who may have a few more losses on his résumé, but they have come against tough opposition, including Jezreel Corrales, Steve Claggett, and future star Keyshawn Davis. Furthermore, the 26-year-old Madueno, nicknamed ‘Explosivo,’ defeated Justin Pauldo in a 10-round split decision in February of last year. Pauldo’s name should sound familiar as he just picked up a career-best win mere days ago when he scored an eighth-round knockout of former IBF 130-pound titleholder Shavkatzhon Rakhimov in San Antonio.

That said, this fight is no joke, and Madueno has made it very clear that he isn’t your average late-notice opponent. He’s coming to win, and he’s in shape. “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, on the other hand, is aware of the danger that lurks ahead.

“Despite the change of opponent, I do not lose motivation. I remain focused and prepare at 100%. I set a goal for myself, and I am not going to stop until I achieve it—to be a world champion! I see that Miguel Madueño is a good fighter and very dangerous. I am going to fight smart to win this bout. I must not lose sight of the fact that he is an experienced boxer, and fights between Mexicans are guaranteed to be a good show. I am grateful to Golden Boy for this great opportunity!”

We’ve seen Duarte’s armor pierced in the past, but that has yet to happen to Madueno. Styles make fights, and there will be a collision on Saturday. I believe this will benefit Madueno, who is stronger and more durable.