Kenneth Sims (22-3-1, 8 KOs) insists that he did enough to deserve the win in his 10-round majority decision loss to Oscar Duarte (30-2-1, 23 KOs) in their WBA light welterweight title eliminator last Saturday night at the University of Illinois in Chicago.
(Credit: Golden Boy/Cris Esqueda)
The judges had it close, scoring it 115-113, 114-114, and 116-112 for Duarte.
Sims’ Game Plan Errors
Where Sims blew his chance of winning was by choosing to brawl with Duarte on the inside, fighting with his back against the ropes during short stretches in many of the rounds. Sims dominated Oscar when he was fighting in the center of the ring, using his jab and long reach to land shots.
The movement by Sims was impressive. It was like watching a Mayweather copy. However, he strayed away from his game plan and chose to trade with Duarte on the inside. This tactic worked against Sims, as he was fighting Duarte’s game and getting the worst of it. He did not hold his own when he fought with his back against the ropes against the Mexican.
Sims, 31, says he wants an immediate rematch because he felt he’d done more than enough to be given the victory. It’s unlikely that Duarte’s promoters at Golden Boy Promotions will accommodate Sims’ request, as that was a world title eliminator to get a shot at WBA 140-lb champion Gary Antuanne Russell. That’s the fight that Duarte wants next.
Kenneth’s Post-Fight Reaction
“I thought I won. I boxed him. He caught me with some, but every time he caught me, I came back. So, I want to run it back,” said Kenneth Sims to Chris Mannix following his loss to Oscar Duarte last Saturday night. “That’s it. I thought I won the fight.”
It would be surprising if Golden Boy agrees to allow Sims to fight Duarte again because it serves them no purpose in doing so. Sims would likely make the needed adjustments to defeat Duarte in a second fight, and he’d miss out on his world title chance.
CHICAGO I LOVE YOU‼️ THIS JUST A SMALL PIECE OF MY STORY‼️I go out there and give my all every time. I thought I edged the fight but I take my losses like a MAN congratulations Duarte hope we can run it back. Thank you @GoldenBoyBoxing for giving me the chance to fulfill my dream pic.twitter.com/8OJQ5Xh56X
— Kenneth Sims Jr (@KennethSimsJr) August 3, 2025
“It wasn’t really adjustments. That was the game plan to box,” said Sims. “So, I boxed. I stood my ground a little bit because I knew I had to, or he was going to come harder. So, I stood my ground when I needed to. I thought I won the fight.”
Sims looked like he wanted to prove to the fans that he could beat Duarte at his own game by fighting him on the inside. Indeed, at times, Sims did get the better of him, especially when Duarte would tire or take too long trying to get into the perfect position to throw one of his shots. Kenneth’s problem is that he didn’t have enough in the moments when he was effective at close range.
Duarte’s Punching Power
“He didn’t hit as hard as I thought he did. He was more so relentless than he had punching power, but like I said, I want to run it back. I need that. I’m competitive. So, I need this s*** back. I need it. I’m not going to be able to sleep right until I get it back because I felt like I won that fight,” said Sims.
Duarte isn’t a huge puncher, but he overwhelms his opponents with his pressure and body punching. He hits hard enough to pound his opposition into submission. You could tell from Sims’s badly swollen face after the fight that Duarte’s power was still formidable.
Last Updated on 08/03/2025
Read the full article here