When Middleweight boxer Tarvis Simms first stepped into the ring as a professional back in 1997, he had one goal in mind—winning the world championship. Since he has put together an impressive record of 26-1-1, and on March 5 when he goes to battle with John Mackey at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, he will be looking to continue his road to an impending title fight.
Simms suffered his first professional loss in October of 2009 at the hands of Allan Green, a fight he took on five days notice.
“It wasn’t hard to rebound from that fight because in my eyes it wasn’t a loss,” said Simms about coming back after losing his first professional fight. “I felt like I got robbed, and he got the hometown decision. I gave myself a lot of credit for taking the fight on such short notice and fighting the way I did.”
Whereas many fighters would’ve shied away from a title fight with on such short notice, stepping up to take on Green showed the character and will Simms displays every time he steps in to the ring. “When an opportunity presents itself, you have to take advantage of it,” said Simms.
Following the controversial loss Simms took a year off before returning to the ring this past December with Main Events. He won a unanimous decision over Willis Lockett in which he dropped Lockett in the first round.
In preparation for Mackey, Simms has been staying diligent with his gym work and running and focusing on his conditioning. He hopes to have the opportunity to fight often this year to work towards another title shot.
“I’d like to fight as often as possible,” said Simms. “That’s how I stay sharp, and with me performing in front of my fans (at the Prudential Center), that only boosts my confidence and conditioning. It makes me strive to get into superior shape. My fans have yet to see Tarvis Simms at his best, and that’s what we want to give them, and I think with Main Events we can make it happen.”
Simms is adamant about giving credit for his success to his tremendous support system. “I have a lot of faith in God and Jesus, and I have a great wife, family and friends. I get all the support in the world, and it gives me all the motivation I need. With the support and the tools I have I know I got everything I need to go to the next level and become a successful and entertaining fighter.”
With Simms fighting at his top level, it is likely fans can see him back in the ring for a title fight before the year is out, but Simms plans to take it one fight at a time.
“I’ll leave it in Main Events’ hands,” said Simms about when we’ll see him fighting for the championship again. “I hope it is sooner than later, but it comes down to whatever they want. Ultimately I want to make them happy and perform.”
“Lastly I want to give a big shot out to Kathy Duva and Jolene Mizzone of Main Events for giving me this opportunity, my wife Maria for always being behind me, and everyone who supports Team Simms. And finally my sponsor Numbers Health and Fitness down in Perth Amboy.”
Tarvis Simms will be back in the ring at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ on March 5, 2011. Tickets are available at: www.prucenter.com.
