Arnold Barboza Jr. outboxes Kenneth Sims Jr., wins wide decision

Barboza wins wide decision over Sims in first fight at 147 pounds

Arnold Barboza Jr (33-1, 11 KOs) made a successful move to 147 pounds with a unanimous decision win over Kenneth Sims Jr (22-4-1, 8 KOs) in Anaheim. The victory secured the WBO Global welterweight belt. The judges scored the 12-round fight 117-111, 118-110, and 120-108.

Sims opened the bout from the southpaw stance before switching to orthodox later in the first round. Barboza, making his debut at 147 pounds, quickly established distance with the jab and began stepping in with straight rights and short hooks.

Both fighters often threw at the same time, mirroring each other’s offense, but Barboza regularly beat Sims to the punch. Sims circled and looked for counters yet struggled to close the space and turn exchanges in his favor.

By the middle rounds Barboza’s jab began to show its effect. Repeated straight punches and hooks created swelling under Sims’ right eye while Barboza continued to dictate the pace.

Sims attempted to change rhythm and look for the right hand, but his offense came in single shots. Barboza stayed composed, using footwork and quick combinations before stepping away.

In the eleventh round both fighters leaned forward with right hands and clashed heads. Barboza suffered a cut along the hairline that bled heavily, while Sims was marked near his right eye. The action continued without interruption.

Barboza closed the fight confidently in the twelfth. With his hands relaxed and his jab still controlling distance, he absorbed a solid right hand from Sims and shook it off before returning to his combinations.

As the final seconds ticked away, Barboza spoke to his opponent during an exchange.

“I told you there were levels to this.”

Over twelve rounds Barboza controlled range with the jab, landed the cleaner punches, and carried the fight clearly on the scorecards in his first appearance at welterweight.