By Steven Cummings
# 5 Junior welterweight Oscar Duarte (30-2-1, 23 KOs) won a WBA eliminator over #4 Kenneth Sims Jr. (22-3-1, 8 KOs) via majority decision on Saturday night in Chicago. One judge scored it a draw at 114-114 but was overruled by scores of 115-113 and 116-112. InTheCorner.net scored it 116-112 for Duarte.
The styles played out true to form as Duarte came with relentless pressure throughout, while Sims attempted to stick and move to score points while disrupting Duarte’s attack. Sims was successful in stretches and managed to counter effectively at times throughout the fight.
But Duarte’s non-stop pressure carried the day, despite Sims’ tactical excellence. Online scoring was all over the place but it was a very hotly contested battle, even if you had it 8-4 for Duarte as I did.
The 29-year old from Mexico came to Sims Jr.’s hometown and fought in front of the Chicago fans the same way he always fights. It resulted in his fourth victory since being stopped by Ryan Garcia in December of 2023. The WBA champion at 140 is Gary Antuanne Russell.
Kenneth Sims Jr. had won nine straight fights going back to 2018.
Earlier, the surprise of the DAZN telecast was Regis Prograis outlasting Joseph Diaz over 10 rounds in a fight-of-the-night thriller. The veterans went back and forth for all 10 rounds with Prograis (30-3, 24 KOs) getting the edge behind a consistent jab and bouncing back from Diaz’ intense attacks. Jo Jo rocked Prograis a few times throughout the fight, but Prograis managed to get past the big shots and outwork him for the win. Diaz’ record now stands at 34-8-1 with 15 KOs.
