Saturday night’s Golden Boy Promotions headliner between Arnold Barboza Jr (32-1, 11 KOs) and Kenneth “Bossman” Sims Jr (22-3-1, 8 KOs) at Anaheim’s Honda Centre is, in the truest meaning of the term, a crossroads clash, one where both fighters can ill afford to come out on the losing end. Having each suffered defeat in their last contest, the pair will be itching to now start the push that proves they belong alongside the best in the world, in what may ultimately prove to be their last chance to do so.
A former interim WBO junior welterweight title holder, California’s Barboza Jr, now 34, returns for the first time since being outclassed by Teofimo Lopez in May of last year. The loss, he hopes, is just a minor hiccup, and that he can re-establish the momentum he had created with prior successive wins over Sean McComb, Jose Ramirez, and Jack Catterall. “He came up short against Teofimo, but nothing lost. You get back on the horse, and you ride away,” promoter Oscar De La Hoya said at Thursday’s press conference. In keeping with that analogy, a second straight loss may limit Barboza Jr’s ability to ‘saddle up,’ so to speak.
Standing in the opposite corner, the action-oriented Sims Jr is looking to make amends for conceding a close decision in a WBA title eliminator against Oscar Duarte, which was his biggest opportunity to date. Having fought gallantly in the face of a relentless opponent, only to fall just short of taking the next step, the Chicago native knows the magnitude of his current opportunity and vows not to let it slip. “He’s fought good fighters, and me going in there, taking care of him and winning in a dominant fashion will show what I already know, and a lot of people already know, that I belong at the top,” Sims said at the press conference.
Appropriate for the month of March (NCAA March Madness), this contest is a case of “survive and advance.” All that remains is to determine who keeps their hopes alive in the 140-pound boxing bracket.
Can Barboza Jr Dictate Terms?
In his best performances to date, Barboza Jr has been able to control contests by establishing a comfortable distance, using a sharp jab to disrupt an opponent’s rhythm before firing off combinations to both body and head. While this has proven to be an effective strategy, such a game plan has also left the Los Angeles native a stagnant, stationary target at times.
To have success this weekend, Barboza Jr will need to dial up the aggression in a way that masks these vulnerabilities without abandoning who he is as a fighter. One area he may look to capitalize on as a consequence is his opponent’s tendency to leave openings when moving backwards. On numerous occasions, particularly bouts with Durate and Botirzhon Akhmedov, Sims Jr found himself on the end of five and six-punch combinations from forward-moving foes.
Though he will need to be careful not to get caught with Sims Jr’s educated left hook, a punch that often gets him out of trouble in exchanges, Barboza Jr‘s snappy jab may become more of an attacking weapon that helps push the fight closer to the ropes.
“Bossman” Must Put In A Full Shift
Time and again, Sims Jr has shown that he has absolutely no trouble entering the ring locked, stocked, and ready to unload. More often than not, the 32-year-old is dialled in from the opening bell, starting fast and strong behind high and low jabs while also switching stances as he flows across the canvas. Much like Barboza Jr however, there is also a tendency for lapses, particularly late in fights.
Without question, Sims Jr passes the eye test. He is a versatile, high-volume fighter with solid footwork and a decent array of punches, who can hold his own regardless of the direction in which the contest heads. Putting everything together for a complete performance, as of now, remains his Achilles’ heel.
To achieve the breakthrough moment he so craves, then, he will need to remain disciplined and active for the entire 12 frames. Doing so may not just keep his career at the highest level intact; it could also be the spark that ignites Sims Jr’s confidence to be the best version of himself from here on out.
Arnold Barboza Jr vs Kenneth Sims Jr Prediction
Barboza Jr’s experience and effectiveness notwithstanding, expect Sims Jr to adapt to the terms imposed on him to win a close decision.
Arnold Barboza Jr vs Kenneth Sims Jr Betting Odds
Per BETUS, Kenneth Sims Jr is the favorite at -140, and Arnold Barboza Jr is the underdog at +110.
Arnold Barboza Jr: TKO/KO +850; Decision +175
Draw: +1400
Kenneth Sims Jr: TKO/KO +650; Decision +105
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