Barboza (32-1, 11 KO) wants to erase the memory of the defeat against Teofimo Lopez. Tonight, Barboza seemed to be stuck in neutral, finding no answer as Lopez controlled the distance and pace. The ease with which Lopez handled the fight raised uncomfortable questions about Barboza’s ability to adapt when his original plan stopped working.

Sims (22-2-1, 8 KO) is in a similar situation. His defeat against Oscar Duarte caused him to abandon his technical strengths and trade in his natural striking. Fighting Duarte, Sims looked vulnerable, losing a decision in a grueling battle that suggested he may not have been cut out for switchboards.

The reality for Saturday is brutal. Both fighters are now labeled as solvable problems. Another needy performance or tactical breakdown would likely confirm that a ceiling has been reached and either fighter would fall outside the welterweight elite.

The 12-round main event will culminate in the streaming of the Golden Boy Promotions card on DAZN. During Thursday’s news conference, Sims made it clear that he sees Barboza as the guardian of the life he wants.

“Arnold has been in the top 10 rankings for years and that’s where I want to be,” Sims said. “I’ve been chasing this fight for a long time. It’s happening now.”

Barboza, unfazed by the pressure, noted that he expected a complex night.

“As far as Kenneth Sims is concerned, he is a great fighter,” Barboza said. “I’m excited about this fight and I can’t wait for Saturday.”

Golden Boy president Oscar De La Hoya said both fighters chose the complex route back rather than rebuild their strength against a softer opponent.

Anaheim’s career is supported by several title fights, including minimumweight champion Oscar Collazo defending against Jesus Haro, Alexis Rocha fighting JoJo Diaz Jr. and Gabriela Fundora defending her undisputed flyweight championship against Viviana Ruiz Corredor.

For the main event, the equation is straightforward. A convincing victory keeps the winner in the conversation for a title shot. Another defeat leaves both players with complex questions about how far they can go.

Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Martin Bakole are all targeted by the world-class heavyweight, and Bakole represents a particularly “personal” option.

The 34-year-old has not fought since a controversial draw with Efe Ajagba in May, when many felt he should have been handed a points defeat.

before, Bakole suffered a second round defeat to Joseph Parkerwhom he had faced just two days earlier, following his stunning fifth-round victory over Jared Anderson.

However, back in 2022, the Congolese giant scored an arguably more surprising victory, winning a majority decision against Tony Yoka.

At the time, it was considered more than just a developmental fight for Yoka, who set an undefeated record after winning gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

However, after losing to Bakole, the Frenchman later suffered split decision defeats to Carlos Takam and Ryad Merhy before resuming his career with four bounce-back wins.

As he now prepares to face former cruiserweight world champion Lawrence Okolie on April 25 at the Adidas Arena in Paris, the 33-year-old hopes to finally get his revenge on Bakole.

I’m talking to Boxing bookYoka – who is of Congolese descent – named Bakole, Joshua and Fury as three potential opponents after the clash with Okolie.

“I have to beat Bakole – it’s personal. This is the first fight I lost, we are both from the same country [The Democratic Republic of the Congo] and we must make it happen there in Kinshasa.

“So I have to beat Bakole first and then I would love to fight Anthony. It would be a great fight, just because it would be so massive – especially in my country [France]. It would be two Olympic gold medalists fighting in the stadium.

“Why not Tyson Fury? Tyson Fury is one of the greatest [heavyweight] boxers ever. It’s so weird, but also just too good.

It is not yet clear who Joshua will face in his comeback fight, which has been scheduled for July by Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn.

Meanwhile, Fury will face Arslanbek Makhmudov at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 11, after ending his one-year retirement in January.

A heavyweight with fourteen wins and fourteen knockouts would normally be talking about world titles. Instead, one of the undefeated boxers is much more sincere about his explosive start.

Thomas Narmo has stopped every opponent he has faced to date, establishing a perfect record of fourteen wins and fourteen knockouts.

As previously reported by World Boxing News, “The Last Viking” got through these opponents in a total of just twenty-six rounds.

But despite the eye-catching numbers, Narmo admits the statistics don’t tell the whole story yet.

“I don’t really pay too much attention to it,” Narmo told World Boxing News. “I haven’t faced a real challenge yet. My last three opponents did decently, so I’m glad I managed to hold them off.

“I started boxing overdue in life, so unfortunately I didn’t gain much ring experience from my previous fights.”

Learning on the job

This level of honesty is unusual in boxing, where undefeated prospects are often promoted as future champions long before a stern opponent.

Narmo didn’t start boxing seriously until he was in his 20s, after previously competing in mixed martial arts, which left him with significantly less experience in the ring than many heavyweights climbing the professional ladder.

Still, its destructive beginning is demanding to ignore. Fourteen knockouts in fourteen wins is scarce at any level, even if most of those fights came against humble opposition in European rings.

For now, the power puncher says he’s simply focused on getting ready for the right opportunity.

“I’ve been trying to stay in shape and I hope someone will call me and ask,” he explained.

“If not, I’ll have to continue what I’ve been doing a little longer. My time will come, of which I’m quite sure.”

Puncher’s Chance

The heavyweight division remains the only weight class where a single punch can instantly change everything. Narmo believes that momentum means he can never be passed up if the right opportunity arises.

“There is always a chance of a punch. Anything can happen in the heavyweight division,” he said.

“I’m not a technical boxer with a lot of experience. I just try to stay fit and be ready to hurt people.”

He also understands that without the support of a enormous promotional company, reaching the elite level may not be effortless.

“It’s not effortless to get to the top without a great promoter behind you,” he added.

“If I can have a good career, win some minor titles and serve as a gatekeeper for an elite company, I don’t think it’s too bad for someone who started training in his 20s.”

For now, the undefeated heavyweight is simply waiting for another opportunity to present himself.

“I hope the fight will take place in overdue March or early April,” he said.

“There will be a lot of gigantic heavyweight fights in the next few weeks and you never know if something will happen to one of them. I’m ready to go if the opportunity arises.”

Whether the opportunity comes sooner or later, Narmo’s brutally sincere vision of his own career suggests that “The Last Viking” realizes that his toughest trials may yet lie ahead.

About the author

Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.