Indiana is mostly known for corn, basketball, nice people, terrible politics and easily navigable interstate highways. But if Hoosier native Anthony Sims Jr. keeps developing at his current rate, then boxing’s light heavyweight division might need to be added to that list.
Sims’ latest endeavor? The undefeated 21-year-old is in camp with middleweight contender Caleb Truax as Truax (26-2-2, 16 KOs) prepares for his upcoming April 29 fight with Anthony Dirrell (28-1-1, 22 KOs) in Atlantic City, N.J.
For Sims (10-0, 9 KOs), it’s the opportunity of a lifetime to get some very high-level sparring and training in with a world title contender. The timing of the two linking up also couldn’t be better for Sims. He’s not just getting some light work in with a top-level guy in between fights, he’s getting intense work in during the absolute peak of Team Truax’s camp.
Truax will be looking to build a win streak coming off a fourth-round TKO win over Melvin Betancourt. Two fights ago he suffered his first stoppage loss to heavy-handed Daniel Jacobs.
10 hard rds yesterday w/ @_AnthonySimsJr & @Ryan52Watson #TeamTruax #boxing #Apr29th #TruaxDirrell #pbconspike pic.twitter.com/RenZVcWZCt
— caleb truax (@GoldenCalebT) April 22, 2016
Sims, meanwhile, has a fight of his own set for May 7 against a to-be-determined opponent in Madison, Wis. The light heavyweight prospect has demolished everything in his path early in his career, but will probably continue to be brought along slowly as he continues to develop.
With less than a dozen pro fights to his name, there’s no need to rush Sims along. He just needs to stay active by fighting every few months, and within 2-3 years he should be highly ranked and squarely on the light heavyweight contender radar.
You can catch Truax and Dirrell in action on Premier Boxing Champions on Spike this Friday at 9 p.m. ET. For more information on Sims’ upcoming fight, visit the Supreme Hits Boxing Facebook page.
