Kenneth Sims Jr. arrived.
The 29-year-old from Chicago took the biggest step of his career at Saturday’s Rolando Romero-Ismael Barroso match in Las Vegas, defeating 140-pound opponent Batyr Akhmedov by majority decision in a single match. excellent hand-to-hand combat. .
A referee gave it a draw, 114-114. The remaining two games Sims won, 116-112 and 115-113.
The sleek Sims (20-2-1, 7 KOs) succeeded with a sharp stab and counterattack to Akhmedov’s head (9-3.8 KO) early in the game.
Then Akhmedov, the former amateur star from Uzbekistan, seemed to control the game in the third or fourth inning thanks to his relentless pressure and dominant performance.
However, Sims won’t admit anything. He continued to stand his ground and started moving momentum back in his favor in Round 8 even though his right eye was already puffy.
The last few rounds took place at breakneck speed, both fighters were successful. That leaves the decision in doubt.
When it was announced, Sims fell to the canvas in ecstasy as he understood the importance of winning.
Then he said that now he wants to meet the winner of the main event for the WBA belt. Romero and Barroso are set to fight for the vacant title.
Akhmedov was about to lose to Albert Puello for the WBA title in August, then Puello lost the title when he tested positive for a banned substance.
“This is something I have been waiting for years,” Sims said. “Like I said before, I think he won the title in the last game so I think he should be the world champion.
“So this just shows I’m ready for anything. I’m ready to be the world champion.”
Akhmedov has now lost three close decisions, following defeats to Mario Barrios and Puello. He feels he has done enough to win Saturday.
“I feel confident that I am winning,” he said through an interpreter. “But every time I can’t stop my opponent, they win. It seems like a target against me. If they made it to the 12th round then they had won and they celebrated because the judges gave it to them.
“Look at the punch stats. This is the third time in a row. I won again. I’m winning the innings, I’m throwing more, I’m hurting him more.
Akhmedov is far ahead of Sims 331-309, according to CompuBox.
