Barboza Wins Vacant WBO Global Title Over Sims

Arnold Barboza Jr. captured the vacant WBO Global welterweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Kenneth Sims Jr. in a 12-round main event Saturday night at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

Judges scored the bout 117-111, 118-110 and 120-108 in favor of Barboza, who improved to 33-1 with 11 knockouts. Sims fell to 22-4-1 with eight knockouts. The win marked Barboza's successful debut at 147 pounds after a career setback, while Sims, also moving up from the 140-pound division, suffered his second straight defeat.

Barboza controlled the fight from the outset, relying on his jab and precise footwork to maintain distance. Despite being an inch shorter than Sims, Barboza's longer reach allowed him to land clean shots, including hooks and combinations that set the pace early. Sims, a switch-hitter who opened in a southpaw stance before shifting to orthodox, struggled to close the gap and appeared tentative, landing occasional right hands but failing to mount sustained pressure.

The early rounds unfolded cautiously, drawing boos from the crowd as both fighters traded jabs in a tactical exchange. Barboza gradually built momentum, causing noticeable swelling under Sims'...