WBA Intercontinental Super Lightweight Champion Kenneth “Bossman” Sims, Jr. (Chicago, Ill.) is entering the ninth year of his professional career and the former amateur standout is just now getting the opportunity he’s been dreaming of since he entered the paid ranks.
He will fight Turkish Olympian Batyr Akhmedov in a 12-round super lightweight WBA title eliminator on May 13 in Las Vegas. The bout will open the Showtime telecast headlined by Rolando Romero vs. Ismael Barroso taking place at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.
Sims has been seeking a significant opportunity since upsetting the highly touted Elvis Rodriguez in May of 2021. It will be the first title eliminator for Sims who enters the bout on a six-fight winning streak. Known throughout the boxing industry for his extensive skill set and boxing IQ, Sims feels that this fight is coming at the perfect time for him. Over the past several years, Sims has dealt with a variety of challenges that has impacted his performance in the ring, but he knows each difficulty served a purpose and propelled him to this point.
“This is my time. I have been begging for this opportunity. I’m prepared for this moment, and I will prove that I belong at the top of the 140 pound division on May 13,” Sims said.
As a former USA Boxing National Team member and a sparring partner for many of the top names in boxing, Sims enters his first world title eliminator with extensive experience against a multitude of styles. He will need it in his bout with Akhmedov, who lost a narrow decision to world champion Albert Puello, a bout that Sims believes his May 13 foe actually won.
Sims, his trainer Kay Koroma and father/trainer Kenneth Sims, Sr., are currently holding his preparatory training camp in Las Vegas. His team is focusing on continuing to improve his strength and ensure that his conditioning is at the highest level as he will be fighting in his first 12-rounder. “We’ve been focusing a lot on getting stronger. I’ve been making sure that no matter how long the fight goes or how it goes, I will be strong the entire time,” said Sims.
2023 has been an exciting year for Sims, who welcomed his second child, a son named Kenneth Sims III, in February with his fiancé Jailyn. It was difficult for Sims to leave his new son and daughter Nova for training camp, but being a father has given Sims an even stronger motivation in the boxing ring.
“Being a father motivates me because it’s no longer just me I have to worry about,” said Sims. “I always wanted to make life easier for my parents and family, but having children motivates me because I have to provide for them and I want to make their lives easier than mine.”
Sims is entering the sixth week of his training camp, which began in Arizona prior to transferring to Las Vegas in late March.