OSCAR DUARTE continued his career momentum by becoming the first man to stop Miguel Madueño.

The 29-year-old is now on a three-fight winning run after a loss to Ryan Garcia in 2023. Since then, Duarte has racked up victories against Joseph Diaz, Botirzhon Akhmedov and now Madueño in their all-Mexican battle.

Anaheim’s Honda Centre staged the 12-round main event which was originally set to feature Regis Prograis in the opposite corner but injury forced the former champion to withdraw.

Last night Duarte, 29-2-1 (23 KOs), proved his power punching capabilities to break down the replacement opponent and cement his top 10 contender credentials.

Madueño, 31-4 (28 KOs), started positively in the opening two rounds landing some right hands which laid a marker. The 26-year-old wanted to show he was not there to play second fiddle but during the first stanza Madueño was being forced back to the ropes and this tactic from Duarte would prove crucial as the rounds played out.

Duarte, trained by Robert Garcia, targeted Madueño’s body in the third which prompted ‘Explosivo’ to circle his way out of trouble and to the safety of the centre of the ring. A strong round from Duarte kicked off a sustained period of success which Madueño could do little about except survive.

Madueño responded in the fifth, but this was wiped out by a determined Duarte who landed a left hook, which drew gasps from the crowd. His powerful jabs were also denting Madueño’s own plans to get back into the fight, and later in the session was cut by a punch from Duarte, who continued to target the body while Madueño was on the ropes.

Clubbing shots from Duarte were slowly taking the fight out of Madueño, who would land cameo punches to keep a flicker of hope alive.

A thudding left hook from Duarte in the seventh shook Madueño, who began the frame on the ropes and stayed there for 90 seconds. To his credit, Madueño got out of harm’s way and started flicking out the jab with a left hooking, waiting to follow it up. But a jolting right hand from Duarte was the beginning of the end and forced Madueño back to the ropes with an onslaught of shots which Madueno had no answer for. His body began to slump but would not go down. As the attack continued, however, referee Thomas Taylor jumped in at 2.09 of round seven to end the contest.

Duarte picked up a WBA trinket for his efforts and will likely move up from his number nine position in their 140lb rankings next month. Afterwards, ‘La Migrana’ made it clear who he wants to be a headache for next.

“Madueño is a great fighter and a gentleman. I was ready for anyone, no matter who stepped in the ring with me. [Arnold] Barboza Jr. just won his title, and I congratulate him on that victory. When he’s ready to return, I hope he gives me the chance to fight for the belt.”