Arnold Barboza Jr. faces Kenneth Sims Jr. on March 14 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, airing live worldwide on DAZN in a 12-round welterweight bout scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET / 1 a.m. UK.
Arnold Barboza Jr. (32-1, 11 KOs) moves to 147 pounds to meet Kenneth Sims Jr. (22-2-1, 8 KOs) in a divisional test between two established contenders seeking ground in an open welterweight field.
Barboza Jr. returns following his first professional defeat and begins a welterweight campaign on March 14. Sims Jr. meets him in a fight that places both men directly into contention territory at 147 pounds.
Start Times
Event: Arnold Barboza Jr. vs. Kenneth Sims Jr.
Date: Saturday, March 14
Venue: Honda Center, Anaheim, California, USA
Main Event: Arnold Barboza Jr. vs. Kenneth Sims Jr., 12 rounds, welterweight
Start Time: 5 p.m. local / 8 p.m. ET / 1 a.m. UK
PPV Price: Not applicable
How to Watch: Live on DAZN via subscription
The card is now official.
How to Watch
Arnold Barboza Jr. vs. Kenneth Sims Jr. streams live worldwide on DAZN. The broadcast is included with subscription. Tickets are available through official outlets.
Full Fight Card
Welterweight – 12 Rounds
Arnold Barboza Jr. (32-1, 11 KOs) vs. Kenneth Sims Jr. (22-2-1, 8 KOs)
Minimumweight World Titles – 12 Rounds
Oscar Collazo (13-0, 10 KOs) vs. Jesus Haro (13-3, 2 KOs)
Flyweight Undisputed Championship – 10 Rounds
Gabriela Fundora (17-0, 9 KOs) vs. Viviana Ruiz Corredor (10-2, 5 KOs)
Oscar Collazo defends his WBA and WBO belts along with the Ring Magazine title in a Puerto Rico–Mexico fight at 105 pounds. At minimumweight, that kind of fight shifts rankings and forces the rest of the division to adjust.
Gabriela Fundora puts her undisputed flyweight crown on the line against WBA interim belt holder Viviana Ruiz Corredor. It is a fight that tightens the grip on 112 and leaves little room for debate about who runs the weight class.
The remainder of the undercard will be confirmed in final bout order.
Where the Winner Moves Next
Arnold Barboza Jr. comes up to welterweight needing rounds that restore his standing after a setback. Kenneth Sims Jr. looks at this as his opening to step into real contender status. The man who wins moves into a 147-pound picture that still has space at the top.
Barboza made his name at junior welterweight applying steady pressure behind the jab, edging inside, and digging to the body until opponents gave ground. He fights behind a high guard, resets his feet before he throws, and builds his offense in combinations once he has range. Sims is longer, comfortable at distance, flicking the jab and firing straight counters when a man reaches or squares up. He keeps his base under him and waits for clean lanes.
They both understand the stakes without saying it out loud. A strong twelve rounds at this weight plants you in the contender mix. A shaky showing leaves you circling the rankings.
March 14 in Anaheim will show whose tools carry up to 147 and whose work holds up when the pace climbs.
I disagree with the notion that Barboza is at a disadvantage here. His ability to apply pressure and work the body has been proven effective at junior welterweight. If he can implement his strategy effectively, he may well dominate Sims Jr.
While I appreciate Barboza’s past achievements, moving up to welterweight is a risky gamble. His first loss could have shaken his confidence. Sims Jr. has the advantage of reaching and distance control, which might prove decisive.