Duels with criminals (6)
I believe the answer is:
fences
This could be a double definition.
'duels' is the first definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to competing as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?
'criminals' is the second definition.
(people who handle stolen goods)
'with' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for fences that I've seen before include "Good ones make good neighbours, they say" , "Hedges and barriers" , "criminals" , "Good ones make good neighbours, it's said" , "Kind of barriers, or dealers in stolen goods" .)