ANAHEIM, Calif. — Arnold Barboza Jr. captured the WBO World Welterweight Title with a commanding unanimous resolution victory over Kenneth Sims Jr. in a 12-round important occasion broadcast dwell worldwide on DAZN from the Honda Heart.
Barboza (33-1, 11 KOs), preventing out of South El Monte, California, managed the tempo of the bout with sharp mixtures and disciplined strain. Regardless of struggling a headbutt within the eleventh spherical, Barboza continued to dominate en path to a decisive win. Judges scored the competition 120-108, 118-110, and 117-111 in his favor.
“That was a tricky combat. I went via a bit of little bit of a darkish second there, however I pushed via it. Individuals had been asking me earlier than the combat, saying I had fallen off or that I wasn’t the identical fighter anymore. However tonight I confirmed that I’m nonetheless right here,” stated Arnold Barboza Jr. “Preventing at 147 made an enormous distinction for me. I’m telling you, I even had a steak on Tuesday — one thing I couldn’t usually do earlier than. My physique simply felt stronger and extra energized. Credit score to my energy and conditioning coach and the work we’ve been placing in throughout coaching camp. I felt like I might have gone one other 10 rounds if I needed to.
Continued Barboza, “Kenneth Sims is a really sensible fighter. We anticipated it to be a chess match, and it was. Nevertheless it got here right down to preparation. My dad and I put in a number of laborious work. We isolate ourselves in camp, away from household. I even missed my daughter’s birthday on the tenth. These are sacrifices that include the game. Moments like tonight make it really feel value it.”
Sims Jr. (22-3-1, 8 KOs) acknowledged the defeat however remained optimistic about his future.
“Yeah, the scores had been loopy, however the rating doesn’t matter now. I didn’t win the combat. It’s cool although. I’m a 140-pounder, so I’ll return to the place I’m finest at,” stated Kenneth Sims Jr. “I’ve received to get higher. Get higher, do higher, be smarter. It comes with the territory. I’ve been doing this my complete life, so I do know this sense and I understand how to cope with it.”
Oscar Collazo Defends Unified Minimumweight Titles
Within the co-main occasion, Puerto Rico’s undefeated champion Oscar Collazo efficiently defended his WBA, WBO, and Ring Journal Minimumweight World Championships in opposition to Mexico’s Jesus Haro.
Collazo (13-0, 10 KOs) showcased his dominance earlier than Haro’s nook suggested the referee to cease the combat on the finish of the sixth spherical. The bout was co-promoted with Miguel Cotto Promotions.
Alexis Rocha Outpoints Former Champion JoJo Diaz
Santa Ana’s Alexis Rocha secured a robust victory in a fan-friendly matchup in opposition to former world champion Joseph Diaz Jr..
The ten-round welterweight contest went the gap, with Rocha incomes a unanimous resolution with scores of 97-93, 98-92, and 100-90, bettering his document to 26-2-1.
Gabriela Fundora Retains Undisputed Flyweight Crown
Undisputed flyweight champion Gabriela Fundora defended her IBF, WBA, WBC, WBO, and Ring Journal Flyweight World Titles in opposition to Viviana Ruiz Corredor.
Fundora (18-0, 10 KOs) dominated the combat, scoring a knockdown within the fourth spherical earlier than forcing a stoppage at 1:25 of the sixth spherical. The bout was co-promoted with Sampson Boxing.
Joel Iriarte Scores Knockout to Open Broadcast
Kicking off the DAZN broadcast, rising prospect Joel Iriarte retained the WBA Continental Gold Welterweight Title with a sixth-round stoppage victory over Rock Myrthil at 2:35.
Rising Prospects Shine on Preliminary Card
The preliminary bouts streamed dwell on the Golden Boy Promotions YouTube channel and showcased a number of rising prospects.
Unbeaten Grant Flores improved to 13-0 after defeating Rashid Stevens through unanimous resolution in an eight-round tremendous welterweight contest.
Coachella Valley standout Cayden Griffiths delivered one of many evening’s most explosive finishes, scoring a first-round knockout over Omar Munguia after dropping him twice.
Santa Ana’s Fabian Guzman remained undefeated with a unanimous resolution victory in opposition to Julian Delgado in a aggressive middleweight bout.
Denver prospect Daniel Garcia added one other knockout to his document, stopping Blas Caro within the second spherical.
Opening the evening, Leonardo Sanchez earned a second-round TKO victory over veteran Cesar Juarez after Juarez’s nook threw within the towel.
Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Government Author, and Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. Has a ardour for Fight Sports activities and can be a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He’s additionally a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer. He’s additionally the primary photographer for the 4CornersMafia Automobile Membership.
Uncover extra from FightBook MMA
Subscribe to get the most recent posts despatched to your e-mail.
