ARNOLD BARBOZA JR. AND OSCAR DUARTE SET FOR HIGH-STAKES CLASH IN CAN’T-MISS MAIN EVENT ON DAZN

SATURDAY, JANUARY 23 — LIVE FROM HONDA CENTER IN ANAHEIM, CALIF. AND BROADCAST WORLDWIDE EXCLUSIVELY ON DAZN

TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13 ON TICKETMASTER

ANAHEIM, Calif. (November 12, 2026) — Two of boxing’s most exciting contenders are on a collision course as former interim world champion Arnold Barboza Jr. (33-1, 11 KOs) and hard-hitting Mexican contender Oscar “La Migraña” Duarte (31-2-1, 23 KOs) prepare to collide in a high-stakes welterweight showdown. With Barboza looking to cement his place among the division’s elite and Duarte making his highly anticipated debut at 147 pounds, both fighters will put their championship ambitions on the line in an explosive clash of styles. The 12-round main event takes place Saturday, January 23, at Honda Center in Anaheim, California, and will be broadcast worldwide exclusively on DAZN. The event is presented in association with Cancun Boxing.

The general on-sale for Barboza vs. Duarte begins Friday, November 13 at 10:00 am PT and is priced at $250, $150, $100, $75 and $50 not including applicable service charges. Tickets for purchase will be available at Ticketmaster.com or GoldenBoy.com. Fans can access the special pre-sale Thursday, November 12 with code: GBPVIP

“I’ve been out of the ring since March, but I haven’t stopped training, and while streaming on Kick has helped me build an entirely new fan base, boxing has always been my first love,” said Arnold Barboza Jr. “I’m a proud Mexican-American fighter, and on January 23, I’m stepping back into the ring against a dangerous, hard-hitting opponent in Oscar Duarte who brings that relentless Mexican warrior mentality. Whether I put on a boxing clinic or stand toe-to-toe and go to war, I’m ready for the challenge because that’s what boxing is all about. To all my longtime supporters and new fans who know me from streaming, get ready to see a different side of me as I remind the boxing world exactly who Arnold Barboza Jr. is!”

“I’m very happy with the opportunity, with an excellent opponent who was a former interim champion,” said Oscar Duarte. “On my part, I am going to prepare with everything that’s inside of me, I am going to leave it all in the ring. I am going to resoundingly win on January 23. Thank you to all of Golden Boy, Oscar De La Hoya, Eric Gomez, and Cancun Boxing for making it all happen who play an important role in my life!”

“Arnold Barboza Jr. is one of the most technically gifted fighters in the sport, and Oscar Duarte is a relentless warrior who brings pressure and knockout power every time he steps into the ring,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “This will be an instant classic with Duarte making his debut at 147 pounds and Barboza determined to make another run at a world title.” 

More information on the undercard will be released soon. 

Arnold Barboza Jr. is back! The South El Monte native has returned to the spotlight, his last bout stepping up to face Chicago’s Kenneth Sims Jr. in his highly anticipated welterweight debut. From the opening bell, he fought with confidence and control, outboxing Sims on his way to a unanimous decision victory to capture the WBO Global welterweight title – one many fans and experts are calling the best performance of his career. His return comes after a pivotal night on May 2 in New York City, where he squared off against former WBO and Ring Magazine super lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez in a long-awaited clash under the bright lights of Times Square. Though he suffered the first loss of his professional career, he solidified his standing among boxing’s top contenders and left with a renewed determination to come back stronger.

Prior to that, Barboza Jr. captured the WBO Interim Super Lightweight World Title with a hard-fought split decision victory over Jack Catterall in Manchester – proving he could walk into hostile territory, defy the odds and defeat world-class opposition. Since turning professional in 2013, Barboza Jr. has built an impressive resume, highlighted by wins over Alex Saucedo, Mike Alvarado, Jose Pedraza and Jose Ramirez. Known for his technical skill, sharp ring IQ and adaptable style, he has long been one of boxing’s most disciplined and consistent competitors.

Now, with momentum on his side, Barboza Jr. sets his sights on a world title opportunity.

Oscar Duarte continues to carry Parral, Chihuahua onto the global boxing stage with every fight night appearance. “La Migraña” emerged victorious in a back-and-forth, high-intensity battle against Angel “Tashiro” Fierro on the undercard of David Benavidez vs. Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez, earning a split decision in a fight where both men stunned each other at different moments. With the win, Duarte captured the WBC Silver super lightweight title, which was only on the line for him after Fierro came in 3.4 pounds over the 140-pound limit. The hard-fought victory marks a significant step forward in Duarte’s pursuit of a major title opportunity. Earlier this year, Duarte was set to challenge Richardson Hitchins for the IBF super lightweight world title, only for the fight to fall apart hours before the opening bell when Hitchins withdrew, denying Duarte the opportunity he had earned and leaving unfinished business at the top of the division.

Prior to that, Duarte went into hostile territory and delivered a statement win, earning a majority decision over Kenneth Sims Jr. in Chicago in a WBA super lightweight title eliminator. Over 12 hard-fought rounds, Duarte’s relentless pressure and consistency proved to be the difference. He also made headlines in February 2025 with a seventh-round knockout of Miguel Madueño, becoming the first fighter to stop him and capturing the WBA Continental Americas title.

Duarte’s resurgence took shape in 2024 under trainer Robert Garcia, highlighted by a breakthrough stoppage of former world champion Joseph Diaz, the first time Diaz had been stopped. He followed that with a strong unanimous decision victory over Batyr Akhmedov in Saudi Arabia, continuing to build momentum against elite competition. Earlier in his rise, Duarte gained widespread attention in December 2023 when he stepped in against star Ryan Garcia. Though he came up short, the bout reinforced his reputation for toughness and willingness to face the division’s best. Duarte turned professional in April 2013 following a decorated amateur career that included multiple state, regional and national championships, along with a bronze medal. Having first stepped into the ring at just 11 years old, the Parral, Chihuahua native has built a reputation as one of Mexico’s most relentless and dangerous knockout artists. Now making the jump to the welterweight division, Duarte is determined to bring his trademark pressure, aggression and fight-ending power to 147 pounds as he sets his sights on a world championship opportunity.

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Barboza Jr. vs. Duarte is a 12-round fight presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Cancun Boxing. The event will be available worldwide to all subscribers on DAZN, both live and on demand. 

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and DAZN.com. Follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing and @DAZNBoxing. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoy and https://www.facebook.com/DAZN. Follow on Instagram @GoldenBoy and @DAZNBoxing. Follow the conversation using #BarbozaJrSimsJr

CONTACTS:

Jane Murcia, Golden Boy, (310) 871-7525

Fred Mellor, DAZN, [email protected] / +4407818865313