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Chicago, Illinois (June 10, 2025) – Fireworks are guaranteed when two of the super lightweight division’s most dangerous contenders collide in a high-stakes showdown. Oscar “La Migraña” Duarte (29-2-1, 23 KOs), known for his relentless pressure and knockout power, will go toe-to-toe with Chicago’s own Kenneth “Bossman” Sims Jr. (22-2-1, 8 KOs), a slick technician with everything to prove in front of a hometown crowd.
The two super lightweights will have nowhere to run, and have been foaming at the mouth to take care of business in the ring. The 12-round main event takes place Saturday, August 2, live worldwide on DAZN from Credit Union 1 Arena in Chicago. Presented in association with Cancun Boxing, the event also marks Golden Boy’s electrifying return to the Windy City—more than a decade in the making—and promises a night of action-packed matchups as both fighters battle for a shot at championship glory.
“I feel very happy and motivated to be the main event on August 2nd against Sims Jr., an opponent I had previously scheduled to fight, but due to fate, the fight was postponed,” said Oscar Duarte. “I want to take this opportunity to thank Oscar de la Hoya, Eric Gómez, and the entire Golden Boy team for their trust. We are going all out, going for that win to get closer to a world championship.”
“This fight is long overdue and I’m ready to put on a show and leave with the victory,” said Kenneth Sims Jr. “I’m fully healthy now and ready to put on a stellar performance for my fans in Chicago. It’s a dream come true to headline in my hometown, the greatest city in the world.”
“There is nowhere to run and hide for Duarte and Sims in this super lightweight fight that has been brewing over the past year,” said Chairman and CEO Oscar De La Hoya. “With all the animosity between the two, I can assure that fireworks will explode in this summer firecracker!”
More information on tickets and undercard will be announced in the coming weeks.
The first time Oscar Duarte stepped in a boxing ring was at 11 years old when his friends invited him to spar. Boxing seemed like Duarte’s life calling ever since, as he went on to claim five state championships, five regional championships, four national titles, and a bronze medal as an amateur. Duarte began his professional career in 2013, steadily building a reputation for his power, crisp combinations and ability to apply unwavering pressure on his opponents. Duarte’s name became known when he faced boxing star Ryan Garcia in Houston, TX in December 2023. Although coming up short against the hard-hitting Garcia, Duarte focuses on growth and his willingness to challenge himself against the best fighters in the division to demonstrate his determination to reach the highest levels of boxing. Under the tutelage of trainer Robert Garcia, Duarte made an impressive comeback, being the first fighter to ever stop former world champion Joseph “Jo Jo” Diaz in April 2024. We then saw him against former stablemate Batyr Akhmedov in an all-action super lightweight battle in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he secured a unanimous decision victory. Most recently, Duarte returned to the ring to take on the hard-hitting Miguel Madueño, in an all-Mexican, crowd-pleasing brawl at the Honda Center in February 2025.
In that bout, Duarte became the first fighter to stop Madueño, securing a seventh-round knockout and taking the WBA Continental Americas super lightweight title back to Parral, Chihuahua. Duarte returns to the ring in Chicago to face hometown contender Kenneth Sims Jr. (22-2-1, 8 KOs). Originally scheduled for November 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the bout was postponed due to Sims Jr.’s knee injury during training camp. Now, as the WBA’s No. 4 and No. 5 contenders, they’re set to deliver a must-watch clash of boxing finesse versus persistent pressure — a true showdown between Chihuahua and Chicago. As Duarte continues to rise through the super lightweight rankings, he has his sights set on world title opportunities. His hunger for success, combined with his natural, relentless firepower, makes him one of the sport’s most exciting contenders in the super lightweight division.
An amateur standout, former Team USA member and ranked in the top ten by the WBA and IBF, Kenneth Sims Jr. (22-2-1, 8 KOs) is seeking to make a statement for the super lightweight division. Enticed by winning, he built an extensive amateur career that saw him become a nine-time national champion and make an appearance in the 2012 Olympic Trials where he lost a one-point decision to eventual Olympian and future world champion Jose Ramirez. He later continued to win the 2013 U.S. National Championships to earn a spot on the USA Boxing National Team. Sims Jr. was soon traveling the world with his teammates, visiting locations such as Ukraine, Ireland, Chile and Puerto Rico, culminating with an appearance in the 2013 World Championships in Kazakhstan.
Sims Jr. decided to go professional in March 2014 and quickly amassed a winning streak. With only two losses and a draw as blemishes on his record, he rebuilt himself to be one of the toughest super lightweights in the division. His breakout performance was an upset win against previously undefeated prospect Elvis Rodriguez on May 22, 2021. Since then, he has added six more victories to his resume, launching him to the top of the rankings. The ‘Bossman’ made his mark once again on the Duarte vs. Madueño undercard at the Honda Center on Feb. 15, 2025, claiming a unanimous decision victory in an action-packed, crowd-pleasing fight that further cemented his place in the boxing world.
Now ranked No. 4 by the WBA, Kenneth Sims Jr. is set to face Chihuahua’s Oscar Duarte in a highly anticipated bout that fans have been waiting for. The two were originally scheduled to fight in November 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, but Sims Jr. was forced to withdraw due to a knee injury sustained during training camp. After exchanging intense words on social media and during a shared presser earlier in February, fight fans can expect fireworks as a slick boxer goes head-to-head with a relentless pressure fighter — a true war between Chicago and Chihuahua.
Duarte vs. Sims Jr. is a 12-round fight presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Cancun Boxing. The event will be available worldwide to all subscribers on DAZN, both live and on demand.
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