“In this sport, you never know when that call will come – that’s why I stay ready,” said Miguel Madueño, having landed a fight with Oscar Duarte at short notice.
Duarte was due to face Regis Prograis, but the former two-time champion was forced out this week with an injury, and so Madueño has come in for the fight at the Honda Center on February 15.
“This isn’t an easy fight, but that’s exactly why I do this,” Madueño added. “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 is 28-2-1 with 22 stoppages, while Madueño is 31-3 (28 KOs).
BoxingScene reported earlier in the week that he was likely going to fill the spot left vacant by Prograis.
“It’s a shame that Regis Prograis was injured. As I said before, I was very happy to face a fighter of that level, a former world champion, and I hope he recovers soon,” said Duarte. “Despite the change of opponent, I do not lose motivation. I remain focused and prepare at 100 per cent. I set a goal for myself, and I am not going to stop until I achieve it—to be 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.”
Madueño, nicknamed “El Explosivo,” is from Sinaloa and in his last three fights lost decisions to Keyshawn Davis, last July, and Steve Claggett but outscored Justin Pauldo.
“As we’ve seen in the past with Mexican warriors, this will be a war inside the ring on February 15,” said promoter Oscar De La Hoya. “We applaud Miguel Madueño for accepting this challenge against Oscar Duarte. This main event will be even more explosive with two knockout artists, and I fully expect both to give the fight of their lives as they have everything to prove inside that ring.”