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Philippines, 04 Jun 2026 |
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BARBOZA JR. VS. SIMS JR. FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES PhilBoxing.com Fri, 13 Mar 2026 Golden Boy Presents Champions and Future Stars Collide on Stacked Undercard Live from Honda Center in Anaheim — Saturday, March 14 | Streaming Worldwide Exclusively on DAZN TICKETS ON SALE NOW! ANAHEIM, Calif. (March 12, 2026) — Ahead of the stacked Barboza Jr. vs. Sims Jr. fight card, Golden Boy hosted a press conference in Anaheim featuring the promotion's current and future world champions. The event will be headlined by former interim champion Arnold Barboza Jr. (32-1, 11 KOs) of South El Monte, Calif., who will be challenged by Chicago’s Kenneth “Bossman” Sims Jr. (22-2-1, 8 KOs) in a 12-round welterweight showdown, streaming live worldwide exclusively on DAZN. The event takes place Saturday, March 14, at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. Tickets for Barboza Jr. vs. Sims Jr. are on sale now and are priced at $100, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable fees. A limited number of Golden Boy VIP Experience packages will also be available, featuring exclusive merchandise and premium fight-night upgrades. Standard and VIP tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com or GoldenBoy.com. In the 12-round co-main event, co-promoted with Miguel Cotto Promotions, Puerto Rico’s WBA, WBO and Ring Magazine minimumweight world champion Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo (13-0, 10 KOs) will defend his titles against Mexico’s Jesus “Chiquito” Haro (13-3, 2 KOs). Also on the card, Santa Ana’s Alexis “Lex” Rocha (25-2-1, 16 KOs) will face former world champion Joseph “JoJo” Diaz Jr. (34-8-1, 15 KOs), representing South El Monte. Diaz Jr. will move up to welterweight to meet Rocha in a 10-round showdown. In a title bout co-promoted with Sampson Boxing, undisputed flyweight world champion Gabriela “Sweet Poison” Fundora (17-0, 9 KOs) will defend her throne against WBA Interim World Champion Viviana Ruiz Corredor (10-2, 5 KOs), the Australia-based Colombian challenger determined to dethrone boxing’s reigning queen in a 10-round clash. Opening the DAZN broadcast, Bakersfield’s rising knockout artist Joel Iriarte (9-0, 8 KOs) will square off against Los Angeles’ Rock Myrthil (17-2-1, 13 KOs) in an eight-round welterweight bout. The preliminary card will stream live on Golden Boy’s YouTube channel and will spotlight some of the company’s top prospects. Representing the Coachella Valley, the undefeated Grant Flores (12-0, 9 KOs) will compete in an eight-round super welterweight contest against LA's Rashid Stevens (6-1-2, 5 KOs). Fellow Coachella Valley standout Cayden Griffiths (7-0, 6 KOs) will compete in a six-round welterweight bout against Guadalajara's Omar Munguia (8-2-1, 6 KOs). Also on the preliminary card, Santa Ana’s Fabian Guzman (9-0, 8 KOs) will compete in an eight-round middleweight bout against Julian Delgado (9-1, 4 KOs) of Corpus Christi, Texas. In an eight-round lightweight matchup, Daniel “Junebug” Garcia (12-0, 9 KOs) of Denver will face Blas Caro (12-9, 5 KOs) of Rosario, Argentina. Opening the night, Leonardo “Bazooka” Sanchez (9-0, 7 KOs) will take on Cesar Juarez (31-19, 24 KOs) in a six-round super featherweight bout. The previously announced Golden Boy professional debut of Dylan “La Amenaza” Capetillo of Las Vegas has been postponed. Under California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) rules, contestants must be at least 18 years old to be licensed as a professional boxer and compete in a professional bout in the state. Here are some quotes from the DAZN Broadcast fighters: ARNOLD BARBOZA JR., WELTERWEIGHT FIGHTER: "First off, I want to thank God for this opportunity. Without Him I wouldn’t be here. I also want to thank Golden Boy for putting together an amazing card. This event is stacked from top to bottom." "I’m honored to be fighting on the same card as fighters like Oscar Collazo and Gabriela Fundora. And I also want to give a shout-out to my hometown guy JoJo Diaz. We grew up in the same boxing gyms in South El Monte as kids — running around and dreaming about moments like this. Now we’re on the same card together. It’s an honor." "As for Kenneth Sims — he’s a great fighter. I’m excited for this fight and can’t wait for Saturday. Kenneth is a good dude and his team is great. What really warmed my heart was seeing a video of him with his son on his shoulders. That’s what we do this for — our kids and our families." KENNETH SIMS, JR., WELTERWEIGHT FIGHTER: "I’ve always respected Arnold. We’ve talked before and I think he’s a good person. But I’m competitive. I want to fight the best fighters. Arnold has been ranked in the top ten for years, and that’s the spot I want. I’ve been chasing this fight for a long time. It didn’t happen before, but it’s happening now. Beating him in dominant fashion will show what I already know — and what a lot of people know — that I belong at the top."  OSCAR "EL PUPILO" COLLAZO, WBA, WBO, AND RING MAGAZINE MINIMUMWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION: "When I go back to Puerto Rico, it’s very special because I came from humble beginnings. A lot of people look up to me now. When people talk about the minimumweight division, they don’t always expect exciting fights — but we prove them wrong. Being able to inspire other fighters, especially those in the lower weight classes, means a lot. I want them to believe in themselves and understand that if you work hard, you can achieve anything." JESUS HARO, MINIMUMWEIGHT CONTENDER: "When they called me and said I had a chance to fight for a world title, I wasn’t surprised. I knew it was going to happen someday. My hard work couldn’t go unnoticed forever. I’ve had a great training camp — great sparring, great preparation mentally and physically. I know he’s bringing his best, and I’m bringing mine. The fans better be ready." ALEXIS "LEX" ROCHA, WELTERWEIGHT FIGHTER: "First off, I want to thank God for allowing me to be here. I’m really soaking in this moment — being back in front of the cameras and the spotlight. It’s been a while, but I’m very happy to be fighting JoJo. I respect him a lot. I’ve watched him grow up in this sport and even looked up to him. I never pictured myself fighting him, but this is business. JoJo always brings it, so this won’t be an easy fight." JOSEPH "JOJO" DIAZ, JR, WELTERWEIGHT FIGHTER: "What motivates me right now is my beautiful kids — my daughter, my girlfriend, and my son. I’ve already accomplished a lot in my boxing career: winning championships and reaching the top rankings. But now it’s deeper for me — it’s more spiritual. I gave my life to God, and He brought me out of dark places." "I used to live a crazy lifestyle — the rock star lifestyle that comes with fame and money. But now that I’ve given my life to Christ and left drugs and alcohol behind, I’m doing this for my kids. I want to show people that no matter how dark life gets, you can still come back if you keep your faith." "Come Saturday night, I’m ready to showcase that. Alexis Rocha is a tough fighter, but I had a focused camp. This fight is for all the fight fans in Southern California, and it’s going to be exciting." GABRIELA "SWEET POISON" FUNDORA, IBF, WBA, WBC, WBO, AND RING MAGAZINE FLYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION: "Boxing is special because it’s not just me in that ring. It’s the hard work my father put in, my brother too — he’s fighting in two weeks and has been putting in the work as well. It’s a family sport for us. We’ve been doing this since we were little, always supporting each other and having each other’s backs. Now it’s our time on stage to showcase to the world." "Those belts represent everything every little kid dreams about. Earlier this week we put out a video not just for little girls, but for every kid watching on Saturday. Your dreams are possible. Anything is possible in life if you put in the work and stay determined." VIVIANA RUIZ CORREDOR, WBA INTERIM FLYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION: "I traveled from the Gold Coast of Australia, and this opportunity means everything to me. Women’s boxing has grown so much recently, and being able to showcase all the hard work I’ve put in on this platform means the world to me. I started boxing later in life — I’m actually a telecommunications engineer. I left everything behind, moved to Australia, and started boxing there. Now I’m here fighting for a world title." OSCAR DE LA HOYA, CHAIRMAN AND CEO OF GOLDEN BOY: "Both fighters are coming off tough fights, but they fought great opponents. The fact that they’re coming back to fight another great opponent shows who they are as fighters. Kenneth Sims is a warrior who believes in his skills and his hard work. Arnold Barboza is the same way. This is a crossroads fight — a very important fight — and you’re going to see that on Saturday night." ### Barboza Jr. vs. Sims Jr. is a 12-round fight presented by Golden Boy Promotions. The event will be available worldwide to all subscribers on DAZN, both live and on demand. For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and DAZN.com. Follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing and @DAZNBoxing. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoy and https://www.facebook.com/DAZN. Follow on Instagram @GoldenBoy and @DAZNBoxing. Follow the conversation using #BarbozaJrSimsJr  |
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