Oscar Duarte Takes Close Victory Over Late Replacement Akhmedov

Oscar Duarte secured a unanimous decision win over late substitute Batyr Akhmedov in a physically demanding 10-round contest. The judges' scorecards read 98-92, 97-93, and a more representative 96-94, though the margins didn't fully reflect Akhmedov's competitive showing.

The Uzbek fighter, stepping in for Kenneth Sims, demonstrated early aggression with combination punching but struggled to break through Duarte's defensive guard. The fight's momentum shifted in the third round as Duarte increased his output, landing clean shots without seriously hurting his opponent.

Round four saw Akhmedov mount a comeback in what had evolved into a gruelling battle. The fifth round featured even exchanges, with both fighters finding success. Duarte's left hooks and well-timed right uppercuts proved effective, while Akhmedov maintained consistent body attack throughout.

Duarte showed particular effectiveness in round eight, though Akhmedov's determination never wavered. The bout's competitive nature continued through the final bell, with both fighters showing signs of the battle - Duarte sporting a bloodied scalp by the conclusion.

The victory moves Duarte to 28-2-1 (22 KOs), rebounding from his eighth-round stoppage loss to Ryan Garcia. Post-fight, he called out Devin Haney: "I want to fight him because he's back and one of the best." Akhmedov's record moves to 10-4 (9 KOs).