Kenneth Sims Jr vs Arnold Barboza Jr Preview March 14th, 2026
Arnold Barboza Jr. of Long Beach, California returns to the ring this Saturday, March 14th to take on Kenneth Sims Jr. The 12-round welterweight bout from Anaheim, California can be seen live in most nations on DAZN. Barboza last fought in May when he dropped a unanimous decision to Teofimo Lopez in a shot at the WBO Junior Welterweight Title. In his previous outing, Barboza beat Jack Catterall via a split decision on the road in England for the vacant WBO Interim Junior Welterweight Belt. Sims last saw action in August when he dropped a 12-round majority decision to Oscar Duarte.
Sims vs Barboza Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Arnold Barboza +160
- Kenneth Sims -210
My Pick
The 32-year-old “Bossman” Sims enters the ring with a record of 22-3-1 with 8 Ko’s and has boxed 155 rounds since making his pro debut in 2014. Prior to that he enjoyed a fine amateur career as he won the 2013 USA National Championships and reached the semifinals in 2011 and 2012. He also fought at the 2009 and 2010 USA Junior Nationals, reaching the final four. As a youngster, he fought in the 2006, 2007 and 2008 National Silver Gloves he won it in 2007 and made the semifinals the other two years.
Sims hasn’t really hit the big time as a pro yet as he lost an eight-round majority decision to Rolando Chinea in 2017 then drew over eight rounds with Montana Love in his next outing a year later for the vacant WBC Youth Silver Super Lightweight title. Two fights after that he dropped an eight-round unanimous decision to Samuel Teah and of course fell just short against Oscar Duarte in his last fight. Sims stands 5-feet-10-inches tall and owns a 69-inch reach.
As far as power goes, Sims is a relatively light hitter as just 36.4 per cent of his wins have come by stoppage and he’s halted three of his past nine opponents. Since turning pro he’s captured the vacant WBC USA Super Lightweight title with an eight-round majority decision over Elvis Rodriguez in 2021 and the WBA Inter-Continental Crown with a fifth-round TKO over Cristian Mino in August, 2022. He’s also beaten the likes of Botirzhon Akhmedov, Gilbert Venegas, Jermaine Corley and Keeshawn Williams.
Barboza is now 34 years old and climbs into the ring with a fine mark of 33-2 with 11 Ko’s. He’s boxed 228 rounds since making his pro debut in 2013 following a brief amateur career. He measures 5-feet-9-inches tall with a 72-inch so gives up an inch in height to Sims but has a three-inch reach advantage. When it comes to power, Barboza is also below average as just 33.3 per cent of his wins have come by stoppage and he’s gone the distance in nine of his last 10 fights after stopping four of his previous five opponents.
Since turning pro after a short amateur career, Barboza has also won the vacant WBO International and NABF Jr Super Lightweight Titles and the WBO Inter-Continental Belt. He’s beaten Jose Pedraza, Sean McComb, Jose Ramirez, Mike Alvarado, Tony Luis, William Silva and Antonio Moran along the way and is well known for his slugfest against Alex Saucedo in October, 2020 when he was dropped in the seventh round but came back to win a 10-round unanimous decision to win the vacant WBO International Super Lightweight Belt.
Prediction…
Barboza and Sims lack one-punch power and both have pretty solid chins. They’re not the most exciting boxers out there but do possess fine skills. This is another close call and nothing will surprise me but I’m expecting Barboza to pull off a mild upset here since he’s faced better overall opposition as a pro.
Barboza’s experience could result in an upset.
Play Barboza Jr. +160 @ BetOnline.ag
Check out my recent boxing betting picks to see my current form.
Arnold Barboza Jr betting • Kenneth Sims Jr betting