{"id":182053,"date":"2026-02-17T22:37:18","date_gmt":"2026-02-17T22:37:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/182053\/"},"modified":"2026-02-17T22:37:18","modified_gmt":"2026-02-17T22:37:18","slug":"arnold-barboza-jr-vs-kenneth-sims-jr-set-for-march-14-in-anaheim-california","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/182053\/","title":{"rendered":"Arnold Barboza Jr vs Kenneth Sims Jr Set For March 14 in Anaheim, California"},"content":{"rendered":"

ANAHEIM, Calif. (Feb. 17, 2026)\u00a0\u2014 Southern California pride meets Chicago grit as two elite contenders step into a new division and straight into danger when former interim champion\u00a0Arnold Barboza Jr.<\/a>\u00a0(32-1, 11 KOs) of South El Monte faces Chicago\u2019s\u00a0Kenneth \u201cBossman\u201d Sims Jr.\u00a0(22-2-1, 8 KOs) in a 12-round welterweight clash exclusively live worldwide on DAZN. With redemption at stake and 147 pounds wide open, both fighters aim to make an immediate impact and announce themselves as new threats in the division. The main event takes place Saturday, March 14, from the Honda Center in Anaheim and is presented in association with Cancun Boxing.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m officially stepping back into the ring after some much needed time off,\u201d said\u00a0Arnold Barboza Jr<\/a>.\u00a0\u201cMy first loss didn\u2019t break me, it built me. Built a new team, new gym, new mindset yet still same purpose, same hunger, same goals. I heard the doubters get louder. I saw some opinions change yet nothing about me changed. This is bigger than revenge. This is the Redemption Tour.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a fight that I\u2019ve been wanting for a long time. Barboza<\/a> is a good fighter who\u2019s been on the big stage, but I\u2019ve always known that I am a better fighter than him and only wanted the chance to prove it,\u201d said\u00a0Kenneth Sims Jr.\u00a0\u201cI\u2019ve been chasing this opportunity for years now and this is a great time for it to finally happen. This is a do or die fight for both of us, and I can\u2019t wait to get in there and handle business on March 14.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u201cI love this fight because neither guy is afraid of the other. Arnold Barboza Jr<\/a>. and Kenneth Sims Jr. have worked their entire careers to become the best and on March 14 somebody takes a major step toward the top of the division,\u201d said Chairman and CEO\u00a0Oscar De La Hoya. \u201cThe undercard will be stacked with talent, with the return of Puerto Rican Unified Champ Oscar Collazo and Undisputed Champ Gabriela Fundora both defending their titles. Fans are getting a complete night of high-level Southern California fights!\u201d<\/p>\n

In a 12-round co-main event co-promoted with Miguel Cotto Promotions, Puerto Rico\u2019s WBA, WBO and Ring Magazine minimumweight world champion\u00a0Oscar \u201cEl Pupilo\u201d Collazo\u00a0(13-0, 10 KOs) will defend his titles against Mexico\u2019s\u00a0Jesus \u201cChiquito\u201d Haro\u00a0(13-3, 2 KOs). Collazo most recently delivered a devastating knockout victory over Jayson Vayson in September 2025 and now returns looking to continue his dominant championship run.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m very happy to be returning to the ring this coming March 14th. Unfortunately, we won\u2019t be pursuing a unification bout for reasons beyond my control,\u201d said\u00a0Oscar \u201cEl Pupilo\u201d Collazo. \u201cThe company presented us with this opportunity with Jes\u00fas Haro. I respect him because I know he comes with the desire and hunger to be champion, but on March 14th he\u2019ll be facing the best in the division. Without a doubt, Puerto Rico vs. Mexico is a guaranteed war. We\u2019re ready to put on a great fight and secure a solid victory for Puerto Rico.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Tap the banner to sign up with BetUS and access the latest betting odds across all your favorite sports.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s going to be a great fight,\u201d said\u00a0Jesus Haro. \u201cThe Mexico-Puerto Rico rivalry has always been present in this sport, and although I was born in the USA and I love this country, Aztec warrior blood runs through my veins, and I\u2019m not going to let my Mexican people down.\u201d<\/p>\n

In another stacked title bout in co-promotion with Sampson Boxing, Undisputed Flyweight World Champion\u00a0Gabriela \u201cSweet Poison\u201d Fundora\u00a0(17-0, 9 KOs) returns to defend her throne against WBA Interim World Champion\u00a0Viviana Ruiz Corredor\u00a0(10-2, 5 KOs), the Australia-based Venezuelan challenger looking to dethrone boxing\u2019s reigning queen in a 10-round fight.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are only two ways of doing something, the right way or the wrong way.\u201d said\u00a0Gabriela Fundora. \u201cWe are preparing to put on a great performance on March 14th at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Save the date to watch on DAZN!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis opportunity to compete for the undisputed world title is an absolute dream come true for me. It represents everything we work toward from the moment we decide to become professional fighters, and I am incredibly grateful for the chance to perform on the biggest stage,\u201d said\u00a0Viviana Ruiz. \u201cWe\u2019re coming to America to steal the show. I understand the challenge in front of me, I\u2019ve done the work, and I\u2019m ready. I\u2019m excited for March 14th, and I can\u2019t wait to be crowned the new undisputed world champion.\u201d<\/p>\n

More information on the undercard will be released soon.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

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