A 12-round super lightweight clash with possible world title implications takes place at the Credit Union 1 Arena in Chicago this Saturday, as Oscar Duarte meets Kenneth Sims Jr at the head of a Golden Boy Promotions card.
DAZN televise Duarte vs Sims Jr live.
Duarte (29-2-1, KO23) is still only 29, and the Mexican enjoyed two decent early wins in 2023 against Alex Martin (KO8) and D’Angelo Keyes (RTD7), and that led to a showdown with the talented Ryan Garcia at the back end of the same year.
Garcia proved too strong, and knocked out Duarte in eight in Houston.
Duarte has rebounded with three straight wins though, the last a seventh-round knockout of Miguel Madueno in February.
Sims Jr (22-2-1, KO8) is on a run of nine wins on the spin since a 2018 points reverse to Samuel Teah, and the Chicago native was last seen in February on the same card as Duarte, taking a wide points win against Kendo Castaneda.
Prediction: Duarte has that little bit more seasoning that Sims, and I lean towards him taking a decision here.
Regis Prograis vs Jo Jo Diaz
On the undercard, Regis Prograis (29-3, KO24) attempts to climb the world title ladder once again, and the former two-time world champion takes a ten-rounder against Jo Jo Diaz (34-7-1, KO15) at super lightweight.
Prograis became world champion for a second time in 2022, knocking Jose Zepeda out in 11, and after one defence, he was dropped and then routed on the cards against Devin Haney.
Prograis was again defeated in his most recent fight, as Jack Catterall took a clear points win in Manchester.
Diaz has lost six of his last eight bouts, but has only been halted once, by the aforementioned Oscar Duarte in April last year, and is durable.
He is coming off a win, a points win in Mexico over eight against Jorge Valencia Diaz in June.
Prediction: Diaz is most definitely on the slide, and Prograis needs a statement to get back into contention. I expect Prograis to wear Diaz down for a late stoppage.
Remaining Undercard
The other ten-rounder is at cruiserweight, where Tristan Kalkreuth (15-1, KO10) can score a win inside schedule over Devonte Williams (13-2, KO6).
In eight round bouts, Yair Benjamin Gallardo-Lozano (9-0, KO8) can bank an early win against Quinton Rankin (21-9-2, KO16) at light heavyweight, and at super bantamweight, Gael Cabrera (8-0, KO5) should outscore Richard Reyes DIaz (3-0-1, KO2).
In six-round action, Joshua Edwards (3-0, KO3) can stay perfect with a stoppage win against Cayman Audie (4-1, KO2) at heavyweight, and lightweight prospect Mehki Phillips (6-0, KO6) can do the same against Joseph Ricardo Cruz Brown (12-14, KO7).
