NOWHERE TO RUN: OSCAR “LA MIGRAÑA” DUARTE AND KENNETH “BOSSMAN” SIMS TO FIGHT IN MAIN EVENT

Two of the super lightweight division’s most formidable contenders will engage in a high-stakes showdown that promises to deliver an electrifying bout. Oscar “La Migraña” Duarte (29-2-1, 23 KOs), renowned for his relentless pressure and devastating knockout power, will face off against Chicago’s own Kenneth “Bossman” Sims Jr. (22-2-1, 8 KOs), a skilled technician eager to prove himself in front of a hometown crowd. These two super lightweights have been eagerly anticipating this encounter, their determination palpable. The 12-round main event will take place on Saturday, August 2, live worldwide on DAZN from Credit Union 1 Arena in Chicago. Presented in association with Cancun Boxing, this event marks Golden Boy’s highly anticipated return to the Windy City, a project that has been in the making for over a decade. It promises an evening of action-packed matchups as both fighters vie for a shot at championship glory.

“I am filled with excitement and motivation to be the main event on August 2nd against Sims Jr., an opponent I had previously scheduled to face, but unfortunately, the fight was postponed,” expressed Oscar Duarte. “I would like to express my gratitude to Oscar de la Hoya, Eric Gómez, and the entire Golden Boy team for their unwavering trust. We are fully committed to giving our all and securing victory to advance closer to a world championship.”

“This fight has been long overdue, and I am prepared to deliver an exceptional performance and emerge victorious,” asserted Kenneth Sims Jr. “I am now fully recovered and ready to showcase my skills for my fans in Chicago. It is an honor to headline in my hometown, the city that embodies greatness.”

“There is no escape for Duarte and Sims in this super lightweight fight that has been simmering for the past year,” declared Chairman and CEO Oscar De La Hoya. “Given the animosity between the two, I can confidently assure that this summer spectacle will be filled with unexpected twists and turns.”

Further details regarding tickets and the undercard will be released in the coming weeks. Notably, Oscar Duarte made his debut in the boxing ring at the age of 11, when his friends invited him to spar. Ever since, boxing appeared to be Duarte’s destiny. He went on to claim five state championships, five regional championships, four national titles, and a bronze medal as an amateur. Duarte commenced his professional career in 2013, steadily establishing a reputation for his power, precise combinations, and ability to exert unwavering pressure on his opponents. Duarte’s name gained recognition when he faced boxing star Ryan Garcia in Houston, Texas, in December 2023. Although he fell short against the formidable Garcia, Duarte remains focused on growth and his willingness to challenge himself against the most formidable fighters in the division to demonstrate his determination to attain the pinnacle of boxing. Under the guidance of trainer Robert Garcia, Duarte made a remarkable comeback, becoming the first fighter to ever defeat former world champion Joseph “Jo Jo” Diaz in April 2024. Subsequently, he engaged in an all-action super lightweight contest against former stablemate Batyr Akhmedov in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he secured a unanimous decision victory. Most recently, Duarte returned to the ring to confront the formidable Miguel Madueño in an all-Mexican, crowd-pleasing brawl at the Honda Center in February 2025. In that bout, Duarte became the first fighter to defeat Madueño, securing a seventh-round knockout and reclaiming the WBA Continental Americas super lightweight title for Parral, Chihuahua. Duarte will return to the ring in Chicago to face hometown contender Kenneth Sims Jr. (22-2-1, 8 KOs). Originally scheduled for November 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the bout was postponed due to Sims Jr.’s knee injury during training camp. Currently, as the WBA’s No. 4 and No. 5 contenders, they are poised to deliver a highly anticipated clash of boxing finesse and persistent pressure—a true showdown between Chihuahua and Chicago. As Duarte continues to ascend through the super lightweight rankings, he has his sights set on world title opportunities. His insatiable desire for success, coupled with his innate, relentless firepower, makes him one of the sport’s most captivating contenders in the super lightweight division. An amateur standout, former Team USA member, and ranked within the top ten by the WBA and IBF, Kenneth Sims Jr. (22-2-1, 8 KOs) is determined to make a significant impact on the super lightweight division. Entranced by the prospect of victory, he cultivated an extensive amateur career that culminated in nine national championships and an appearance in the 2012 Olympic Trials, where he narrowly lost a one-point decision to eventual Olympian and future world champion Jose Ramirez. Subsequently, he maintained his winning streak by securing a position on the USA Boxing National Team at the 2013 U.S. National Championships. Sims Jr. embarked on a global journey with his teammates, visiting locations such as Ukraine, Ireland, Chile, and Puerto Rico, culminating in an appearance at the 2013 World Championships in Kazakhstan. In March 2014, Sims Jr. made the decision to transition to professional boxing and swiftly amassed a remarkable winning record. With only two losses and a draw as blemishes on his record, Kenneth Sims Jr. rebuilt himself to become one of the toughest super lightweights in the division. His breakout performance was an upset victory against previously undefeated prospect Elvis Rodriguez on May 22, 2021. Since then, he has added six more victories to his resume, propelling him to the top of the rankings. The ‘Bossman’ made his mark once again on the Duarte vs. Madueño undercard at the Honda Center on February 15, 2025, securing a unanimous decision victory in an action-packed, crowd-pleasing fight that further solidified his position in the boxing world. Currently ranked No. 4 by the WBA, Sims Jr. is set to face Chihuahua’s Oscar Duarte in a highly anticipated bout that has garnered significant anticipation among fans. The two were originally scheduled to fight in November 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, but Sims Jr. was compelled to withdraw due to a knee injury sustained during training camp. Following an exchange of heated words on social media and a shared presser earlier in February, spectators can anticipate an exhilarating encounter as a skilled boxer faces a relentless pressure fighter—a true clash between Chicago and Chihuahua.