In a non-title 12-rounder, Puerto Rican contender Arnold Barboza Jr. will try to get back in the title picture when he faces tough Chicago native Kenneth Sims Jr. Arnold Barboza Jr. vs Kenneth Sims Jr. ESPN Bet boxing odds opened with Sims -140, but with 72% of bets on Barboza, nudging the line Barboza’s favor to -105. ESPN2 News is still high on Barboza Jr. (32-1, 11 KOs) despite his one-sided loss to #13-ranked P-4-P entrant Teofimo Lopez, clocking in at No. 97 on ESPN2 News 2026 pound-for-pound boxing rankings, Are the bookies wrong on this one? ESPN2 News boxing handicappers weigh in.
- Boxing Odds: Barboza -105 Sims +110
- Boxing Picks: 72% Barboza
- Date: Saturday, March 14, 2026
- Time: 11:00 PM ET
- Venue: Honda Center in Anaheim, California
- TV/Stream: DAZN
Boxing Predictions
Bob Arum and Top Rank have a boatload of money invested in Arnold Barboza Jr., and despite his lackluster performance against Teofimo Lopez, he is a fine technician.
“The Bossman” Sims is anything but the boss in this one, stylistically, weight-wise, or judging-wise. Sims dropped a close scrap to teak to tough Oscar Duarte recently, where he got to show off his counterpunching skills and quick thinking, but in this one, all the cards are stacked against him.
The weight drained junior welterweight version of Barboza will be trying to grow into his newly developed welterweight frame, and there is no better cannon fodder than Sims, who is literally being forced to move up a weight class for a big payday.
Stylistically, Sims is a fine counterpuncher, especially with the right hand, but he is flat-footed and short-armed, which will be a nightmare against the textbook Barboza, who shoots straight shots right up the middle.
Judging-wise, Sims will need a knockout in this one, and unless he delivers a Michael Benn-type counter right hand, he has no chance on the scorecards with Bob Arum pulling the strings.
boxing odds Over/Under is at 11.5 Rounds with Over at -600 and Under at -400 at mybookie.ag
Boxing Picks Movement & Exotic Bets
- Opening Moneyline: Sims -140/ +130
- Current Moenyline: Barboza -105 /Sims+110
- Win By KO: –
- Win By Decision: –
- Draw: –
- Barboza is being severely undervalued because of his performance against Teofimo Lopez, and the “sharps” have hammered him with 70% of boxing betting picks.
Boxing Predictions & Best Fight Picks
Betting Barboza to stop the smallish, flat-footed Sims via KO at +650 is tempting, especially since Barboza needs to make a statement and Sims is likely near the end of his career, with a trainer who will probably throw in the towel if his guy is outgunned.
“The Bossman” is a tough cookie, though, and could be slick and resilient enough to go the distance against a relatively modest punching Barboza. Still, a double down on Barboza ML makes sense here with the Bob Arum special in play. A max wager on Barboza on the moneyline is the call.
✅ Best Bet:
- Arnold Barboza -105 (Moneyline) at mybookie.ag.
- Risk: 5 Units (MAX BET)
🥊 Arnold Barboza Jr. vs Kenneth Sims Jr. – 2026 Pound-for-Pound Rankings
| Category |
🟥 Barboza |
🟦 Sims |
| 🏋️Strength |
⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.5) |
⭐⭐ (2.0) |
| 📏 Use of Reach |
⭐⭐⭐✨(3.5) |
⭐⭐⭐(3.0) |
| 💣 Left-Hand Power |
⭐⭐⭐ (3.0) |
⭐⭐⭐ (2.5) |
| 💥 Right-Hand Power |
⭐⭐⭐ (3.0) |
⭐⭐⭐ (3.0) |
| 🐅 Killer Instinct |
⭐⭐⭐ (3.0) |
⭐⭐✨ (2.5) |
| ⚡ Hand Speed |
⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.5) |
⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.5) |
| 🥊 Combination Punching |
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.0) |
⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.5) |
| 🫁 Stamina |
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.0) |
⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.0) |
| 🛡️ Defense |
⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.5) |
⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.5) |
| 🪨Chin |
⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.5) |
⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.5) |
| 📌 Jab |
⭐⭐⭐ ✨(3.5) |
⭐⭐⭐ (3.0) |
| 👟 Agility |
⭐⭐⭐ ✨(3.5) |
⭐⭐✨ (2.5) |
| 🩻 Body Punching |
⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.5) |
⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.5) |
| 💪 Body Punch Toughness |
⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.5) |
⭐⭐⭐ (3.0) |
| 🤼 In-Fighting |
⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.5) |
⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.5) |
| ❤️ Heart / Determination |
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.0) |
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.0) |
| 👑 Confidence |
⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.5) |
⭐⭐⭐ (3.0) |
| 🧠 IQ |
⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.5) |
⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.5) |
| 🏆 Quality of Opposition |
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.0) |
⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.5) |
| 📚 Experience |
⭐⭐⭐ ✨(3,5) |
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.0) |
| 📣 Crowd Support |
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.0) |
⭐ (1.0) |
| 📉 Peak Form / Activity |
⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.5) |
⭐⭐✨ (2.5) |
| 🩹 Cuts / Injuries |
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.0) |
⭐⭐⭐ (3.0) |
| ⏳ Age / Wear / Reflexes |
⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.5) |
⭐⭐⭐ (3.0) |
| ⚖️ Judges Scoring |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5.0) |
✨(.5) |
| 👨✈️Trainer/Corner |
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.0) |
⭐⭐⭐ (3.0) |