Duarte set the early pace, working the body with both hands. He cut the ring and forced exchanges, keeping Fierro on the move. Fierro stayed composed, using his feet and picking his spots with sharp counters and quick combinations when Duarte stepped in.
The fight turned in the sixth round when Fierro landed a left hook that caught Duarte clean and forced a reaction. From there, Fierro found more success timing Duarte on the way in, landing the cleaner shots in many of the exchanges while continuing to circle.
Duarte stayed committed to pressure, digging to the body and throwing in combinations to keep rounds close. His workrate and forward movement kept him in position, even when Fierro’s counters were the sharper punches.
The final rounds remained close, with both fighters letting their hands go and trading in spots. Duarte pushed forward to the bell, while Fierro answered with straight shots and hooks that kept the outcome in doubt.
“First of all, I want to thank everybody for being here and everybody who supported me. And listen, I won this fight and I made weight. He lost and he didn’t make weight,” said Duarte.
“This was a good fight. Fierro is a great fighter. I respect him, but I won this fight. I went forward, pressed the action, and landed the best shots in a competitive fight. I always had the confidence that I was going to win. The fans enjoyed the fight, and that motivates me even more to give them another war next time.”
Fierro disagreed with the result. “The crowd made itself heard and saw me win,” he said. “I believe the fight was mine, but I’m also happy with the support from the crowd and for putting on a show.
“I showed the people a different Tashiro one with a real hunger to win. The people saw it; the judges didn’t. I want a rematch. I’ll be back in the gym next week, more focused than ever, to push forward with my team.”
Duarte’s pressure and body work carried him on two cards, while Fierro’s cleaner counters kept it close throughout the twelve rounds.
