Southern California pride meets Chicago grit as two elite contenders step into a new division and straight into danger when Arnold Barboza Jr. (32-1, 11 KOs) of South El Monte, CA faces Chicago’s Kenneth “Bossman” Sims Jr. (22-2-1, 8 KOs) in a ten-round welterweight clash at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California on March 14th. The co-feature will be a world title fight as Puerto Rico’s undefeated WBA / WBO minimumweight champion Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo (pictured) will defend his titles against Mexico’s Jesus “Chiquito” Haro (13-3, 2 KOs). The third featured bout has undisputed world flyweight champion Gabriela “Sweet Poison” Fundora (17-0, 9 KOs) facing WBA interim titlist Viviana Ruiz Corredor (10-2, 5 KOs), an Australia-based Venezuelan. The show will be streamed live worldwide on DAZN. [This show is a "one-off" agreement between DAZN and Golden Boy. The long-term deal expired and has not been renwed, but the parties continue to negotiate]. Tickets go on sale Wednesday, Feb. 18th at 10:00 a.m. PT through Ticketmaster.com and GoldenBoy.com.
“I’m officially stepping back into the ring after some much needed time off,” said Barboza, who is coming off a loss to former junior welterweight champi9on Teofimo Lopez. “My first loss didn’t break me, it built me. Built a new team, new gym, new mindset yet still same purpose, same hunger, same goals. I heard the doubters get louder. I saw some opinions change yet nothing about me changed. This is bigger than revenge. This is the Redemption Tour.”
“This is a fight that I’ve been wanting for a long time. Barboza is a good fighter who’s been on the big stage, but I’ve always known that I am a better fighter than him and only wanted the chance to prove it,” said Kenneth Sims Jr. “I’ve been chasing this opportunity for years now and this is a great time for it to finally happen. This is a do or die fight for both of us, and I can’t wait to get in there and handle business on March 14th.”
“I love this fight because neither guy is afraid of the other. Arnold Barboza Jr. and Kenneth Sims Jr. have worked their entire careers to become the best and on March 14 somebody takes a major step toward the top of the division,” said Chairman and CEO Oscar De La Hoya. “The undercard will be stacked with talent, with the return of Puerto Rican Unified Champ Oscar Collazo and Undisputed Champ Gabriella Fundora both defending their titles. Fans are getting a complete night of high-level Southern California fights!”
Collazo (13-0, 10 KOs) most recently delivered a devastating knockout victory over Jayson Vayson in September 2025 and now returns looking to continue his championship run. “I’m very happy to be returning to the ring this coming March 14th. Unfortunately, we won’t be pursuing a unification bout for reasons beyond my control,” said Collazo. “The company presented us with this opportunity with Jesús Haro. I respect him because I know he comes with the desire and hunger to be champion, but on March 14th he’ll be facing the best in the division. Without a doubt, Puerto Rico vs. Mexico is a guaranteed war. We’re ready to put on a great fight and secure a solid victory for Puerto Rico.”
“It’s going to be a great fight,” said Haro. “The Mexico-Puerto Rico rivalry has always been present in this sport, and although I was born in the USA and I love this country, Aztec warrior blood runs through my veins, and I’m not going to let my Mexican people down.”
Fundora had this to say: “There are only two ways of doing something, the right way or the wrong way. We are preparing to put on a great performance on March 14th at the Honda Center in Anaheim California. Save the date to watch on DAZN!”"
Fundora's challenger, Ruiz, responded, “This opportunity to compete for the undisputed world title is an absolute dream come true for me. It represents everything we work toward from the moment we decide to become professional fighters, and I am incredibly grateful for the chance to perform on the biggest stage. We’re coming to America to steal the show. I understand the challenge in front of me, I’ve done the work, and I’m ready. I’m excited for March 14th, and I can’t wait to be crowned the new undisputed world champion.”
More information on the undercard will be released soon.
