Oscar Duarte Edges Kenneth Sims Jr. in Thriller, Moves Closer to World Title Shot
Oscar “La Migraña” Duarte may have walked into Chicago as the outsider, but he left the ring Saturday night one step closer to a world title.
In a tightly contested WBA super lightweight title eliminator, Duarte (30-2-1, 23 KOs) earned a majority decision over local favorite Kenneth “Bossman” Sims Jr. (22-3-1, 8 KOs) at Credit Union 1 Arena. Judges scored the 12-round bout 116-112, 115-113, and 114-114, reflecting just how close—and competitive—the fight was.
The early rounds were a chess match, with Sims using his speed and slick movement to keep Duarte at bay. In Round 2, Sims found success with quick left hooks and counters that disrupted Duarte’s rhythm. The Chicago crowd roared as their hometown fighter slipped punches and landed clean combinations.
But Duarte didn’t come to coast. Known for his pressure and power, the Mexican brawler began closing the distance by Round 4. He dug to the body with hooks that seemed to sap some of Sims’ bounce. By Round 5, the tide had shifted, with Duarte landing flush right hands that backed Sims into the ropes.
Round 6 was one of the fight’s best. Sims, sensing the momentum shift, stood his ground and fired combinations. Duarte answered with heavy hooks, turning the round into a gritty exchange in the pocket. Both men had their moments, but Duarte’s heavier shots may have swayed the judges.
The second half of the fight featured more back-and-forth action. Sims returned to using angles and quick jabs, especially in Rounds 8 and 9, while Duarte stuck to his game plan—pressure, body work, and power punches. In Round 10, Duarte landed a clean uppercut that briefly stunned Sims and likely sealed the round in his favor.
With the fight still up for grabs, both fighters dug deep in the championship rounds. Sims showed heart and urgency, firing fast combinations to the head and body. Duarte answered with thudding punches and relentless pressure. The final round ended with both men trading in the center of the ring, refusing to give an inch.
“I am very happy, it was a great fight, a war,” said Duarte after the win. “I am very happy about this victory and I am very happy to be closer to be fighting for a world title. Sims Jr. brought much experience and had great conditioning. He came very prepared. However, I felt that I was very prepared and that I was in control of the rounds. It was a fight where I learned a lot. I am ok with doing a rematch with him, wherever he wants to do it. If he wants to run it back in Chicago, we can do it again here too, but I would come ready to knock him out.”
“I thought I won. It was a good fight, tough fight, but I thought I won,” Sims said. “He brought pressure like I expected. Relentless pressure. It was nothing that I didn’t expect. I mean, I could’ve sharpened my defense. It was a good fight. He’s a tough fighter… Absolutely (run it back). I want it right back because I won that fight. It was a close fight, but I won it. We can go right back to it.”
Joshua ‘The Rocket’ Edwards Scores Another First-Round KO, Stays Perfect
Joshua “The Rocket” Edwards is wasting no time making a name for himself in the pro ranks.
The former U.S. Olympian improved to 4-0 (4 KOs) with another explosive performance Saturday night, stopping Cayman Audie in the first round at Credit Union 1 Arena in Chicago. Edwards has yet to see a second round since turning professional.
From the opening bell, the gap in experience and skill was obvious. Audie, from Hinckley, Minnesota, came out swinging wild punches, but Edwards stayed calm and picked his spot. A quick counter right hand under Audie’s chin dropped him to the canvas within seconds.
Though Audie beat the count, Edwards didn’t let the moment slip. Smiling confidently, he waited for another opening and delivered a sharp straight right followed by a left uppercut that sent Audie down hard. Referee Ben Rodriguez stepped in immediately to stop the fight.
“I’ve got pinpoint accuracy,” said Edwards. “Once I see an opening, I immediately attack. I don’t like to wait around.”
Audie now falls to 4-2 (2 KOs), while Edwards continues to build serious momentum in the heavyweight division with another knockout win.
Co-Main Event: Prograis vs Diaz, read full article here.
Duarte vs Sims Jr full fight card results:
Main Card
- Oscar Duarte def. Kenneth Sims Jr by majority decision (114-114, 116-112, 115-113)
- Regis Prograis def. Joseph Diaz by unanimous decision (98-92, 96-94, 96-94)
- Tristan Kalkreuth def. Devonte Williams by TKO (R3, 0:01)
- Joshua Edwards def. Cayman Audie by KO (R1, 1:29)
- Yair Benjamin Gallardo-Lozano def. Quinton Rankin by unanimous decision (80-71, 79-72, 79-72)
Prelims
- Gael Cabrera def. Richard Reyes Diaz by TKO (R1)
- Mehki Phillips def. Joseph Ricardo Cruz Brown by TKO (R2)
