The Fourth Title Fight of Miami Fight Night

By Matt Benoliel

The fourth title fight of yesterday’s Miami Fight Night was not a World title fight, but it was an important ten-rounder for two skilled boxers looking to step up. The WBO Latino belt was on the line in an interesting stylistic matchup between title holder Roamer Alexis Angulo (25-1, 22 KOs) of Miami and the challenger, “The Magician” Anthony Sims Jr. (20-0, 18 KOs).

Styles make fights and as such, this contest seemed like a classic matchup between a boxer and a puncher. The boxer, Anthony Sims Jr. has an elusive, bouncy style which, for the few opening rounds, found Angulo struggling for a way to connect. But while his style was elusive, the undefeated Sims Jr. was simply not landing enough punches to establish a clear lead on the cards.

The puncher Angulo, on the other hand, found his stride in the fourth round, jabbing to the body to slow Sims Jr.’s attack. Angulo also showed a willingness to hold and manhandle his opponent, possibly out of frustration. Angulo was deducted a point for holding and hitting in round five, but he was also landing more punches.

With a title on the line, the challenger’s corner, legendary trainer James Doolin, implored Sims to punch more and make a statement, which he started doing late in round six. Going into round seven, Doolin told Sims that he “saw the scorecard” and that he was down two points and that he needed a knockout to win. Indeed, Sims came out more aggressive and the fighting went to closer range, but it was Angulo who was able to land well inside, landing the best left hook of the night. Sims Jr. went on to steal round eight in the final seconds with some good combinations and once again Doolan told Sims to go for the knockout. Sims continued to play the dancer and won some of the exchanges in the final two rounds but simply could not land with enough power to get the KO he needed. In the end one judge scored the bout 95-94 for Sims, and other two judges scored 96-93 for Angulo.

Tags: DAZN