Robert Simms vs Bryant Jennings Preview June 14th, 2026
Former heavyweight contender Bryant Jennings of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania returns to the ring for the second time in two years and just the third time since 2019 to take on Robert Simms of Saginaw, Michigan this Sunday, June 14th. The eight-rounder takes place in Grand Rapids, Michigan and can be seen live on DAZN in mot nations. Jennings last fought just three weeks ago when he stopped Devonte Williams in 146 seconds. His previous outing came in August, 2024 when he beat Joel Caudle via an eight-round unanimous decision. That was Jennings first fight since July, 2019 when he dropped a 12-round unanimous decision to Joe Joyce in England. It was his second straight defeat as he was stopped in the 12th round by Oscar Rivas and lost his IBF International, and WBO NABO Heavyweight Titles six months earlier. Simms last saw action in March when he was stopped in the seventh round by Alexis Barriere for his third straight defeat.
Simms vs Jennings Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Robert Simms +450
- Bryant Jennings -700
My Pick
Jennings is now 41 years old and appears to be coming back yet again for another kick at the can. He enters the ring with a mark of 26-4 with 15 Ko’s. His four defeats as a pro came at the hands of Joe Joyce and Oscar Rivas in 2019. He also dropped a 12-round unanimous decision to former heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko in 2015 in a shot at the IBF/IBO/WBO belts and Luis Ortiz then stopped him in the seventh round in his very next fight eight months later for the interim WBA Heavyweight Title.
Jennings won five of his next six fights with four of them coming by KO. However, he basically faced journeymen during that span and was then stopped by Rivas and lost to Joyce. Jennings stands 6-feet-3-inches tall with an 84-inch reach and his long arms typically allow him to keep his opponents at bay with a stiff jab and are also quite useful defensively. He often doesn’t let his hands go enough for the physical attributes that he owns though. He usually waits too long to go on the attack and that’s what hurt him against Klitschko and several other opponents.
Jennings turned pro back in 2010 and has fought 181 rounds since. Just 57.7 per cent of his wins have been by stoppage and he’s halted just two of his last seven opponents. His best victories have been against the likes of Alexander Dimitrenko, Joey Dawejko, Artur Szpilka, Mike Perez, Steve Collins, Chris Koval, Andrey Fedosov, Bowie Tupou, Siarhei Liakhovich and Maurice Byarm. Jennings didn’t get involved in boxing until later in life and had a short amateur career with a reported mark of 13-4. He was a national Golden Gloves runner up in 2009 and has also won the USBA Heavyweight Crown as a pro.
When it comes to Simms, he’s actually the senior boxer in this fight as he’s 42 years old. He made his pro debut in 2015 following his amateur days but has only 106 rounds of experience under his belt. He makes the ring walk with a mark of 12-6-1 with just 3 Ko’s. Simms measures 5-feet-11-inches tall with an unlisted reach so gives up four inches in height to Jennings. He’s basically a journeyman but 14 of his 19 opponents entered the ring with a winning record.
There are five defeats on Simms’ record as he dropped a six-round split decision to Craig Lewis in 2016; lost a six-round split decision to Alexey Zubov in 2017 and dropped an eight-round majority nod to George Arias 2019. he didn’t lose again until 2023 but has lost his last three fights. He dropped an eight-round unanimous decision to Brandon Moore in November of that year in a shot at the vacant NABF Junior Heavyweight Title and then lost an eight-round unanimous decision to Pryce Taylor last July before being stopped by Alexis Barriere in his last outing three months ago.
His lone draw was a three-round technical decision against Moses Johnson in 2022. Simms hasn’t really faced any elite heavyweight in his career but he has beaten the likes of Joe Cusumano, Colby Madison, Demetrius Banks and James McKenzie Morrison. The win over Morrison was an eight-round unanimous decision for the WBC USA Heavyweight Title. As far as power is concerned, just 25 per cent of his wins have come by stoppage with the last one coming 14 fights ago in 2017.
Prediction…
Simms has lost three straight fight and six in his career but has been stopped just once. However, Jennings used to be his own worst enemy as he was often too cautious in the ring even though he possesses the tools of an elite boxer. He needs to let his hands go to take advantage of his superior size, skills and power and if he does, he should leave the ring with a pretty convincing win over Simms this weekend in a battle of two aging heavyweights.
Jennings has the size and power advantages.
Play: Jennings -700 @ BetOnline.ag
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Bryant Jennings betting • Robert Simms betting