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Oscar Duarte vs. Kenneth Sims Jr.: Who Wins?

Originally posted on Fights Around The World
By Adam Noble-Forcey | Last updated Aug 1, 2025 8:14 PM ET

Boxing returns to the city of Chicago tomorrow night with Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions. Oscar Duarte collides with Chicago’s very own Kenneth Sims Jr. at super lightweight in the main event to be aired live on DAZN.

The pair of under-the-radar 140-pounders meet at a time when the division has no effective ruler, giving some of the lesser-known combatants a sniff at what could have been described as a pipe dream earlier in their careers. It’s as 50-50 as you can get with massive repercussions for the winner and the loser.

Both men have hit some serious form going into this contest. Mexico’s Duarte (29-2-1, 23 KOs) has put a three-fight winning streak together in 18 months since suffering an eighth-round knockout to Ryan Garcia, the only stoppage defeat of his career. Duarte bounced back from the dent in his resume with a standing ninth-round stoppage against Joseph Diaz Jr. He would then move on to claim a well-earned unanimous-decision victory against Uzbek southpaw Botirzhon Akhmedov on the Riyadh Season Latino Night. Miguel Madueno rounds off the three, losing by a seventh-round knockout in February.

Sims Jr (22-2-1, 8 KOs) is on a nine-fight winning streak in comparison. The 31-year-old defeated the once highly touted Dominican Elvis Rodriguez by majority decision over four years ago, three fights into his undefeated run, but the contest was only at an eight-round distance. Cristian Ruben Mino (TKO 5) and Rock Dodler Myrthil (TKO 5) preceded his first 12-rounder, coincidentally with Akhmedov. Sims Jr scored a majority-decision win compared to Duarte’s slightly more dominant performance. Jonathan Romero retired after five rounds just under one year ago, and a lopsided unanimous decision against Kendo Castaneda in February brings us to tomorrow’s clash in Chicago.

Sims Jr is currently ranked in seventh place by the IBF, where Richardson Hitchins is the belt holder. Duarte holds fifth place with the WBA, where Gary Antuanne Russell currently has the title.

The winner will likely move into a position where a path towards some sort of title shot will emerge. The loser will continue at a certain level which I imagine we will witness tomorrow night at the University of Illinois.

Oscar Duarte vs. Kenneth Sims Jr. Prediction

It’s a tough one to pick, credit to the matchmaker. I’ve been tossing and turning all night, trying to come up with something for the FightsATW readership.

I think we’ll see all 12 rounds! That’s my only confident prediction despite both men having stoppage success in recent fights. However, Sims Jr has a great chin and has never been halted early. I’d argue Duarte does too, at least at 140 pounds. Duarte’s only stoppage came against Garcia, three pounds above the super lightweight limit.

Both men were all business in the official press conference, giving reporters the usual sound bites with little animosity towards each other. No needle in this one, just a good contest where both men will have to have had a good camp to be successful. It appears both men have left no stones unturned in their preparation. It will be a tough fight for both.

I’m edging Sims Jr to grab a close decision. I wouldn’t be surprised by a close split or majority-decision win. A draw is very possible, but the hometown advantage for Sims Jr, I think, could help him over the line in a fight where they will both take some punishment.