Barboza Jr vs. Sims Jr: Best Boxing Bets for Saturday, March 14

Boxing fans will be treated to some intriguing bouts this weekend, with a major card at Honda Center in Anaheim with three marquee fights, while a key WBA bantamweight championship eliminator match takes place in Japan in the early hours of Sunday. We’ll provide some betting insight into each fight with our prediction on who wins and how.

Arnold Barboza Jr (32-1, 11 KO’s) vs Kenneth Sims Jr (22-3-1, 8 KO’s)

On paper, the main event, based on the power numbers, is very close. Kenneth Sims Jr holds a slight edge in knockout percentage at 36% compared to Arnold Barboza Jr.’s 34% on the boxing betting markets. Sims also has small physical advantages, standing one inch taller and holding a three-inch reach edge, while both fighters operate out of an orthodox stance. Barboza, however, brings more professional experience into the ring. The 34-year-old has had seven more fights since debuting in 2013, compared to Sims Jr’s 2014 debut, and has logged 222 professional rounds versus Sims’ 155. In the rankings, Barboza sits at No. 9 with the WBC at welterweight, while Sims Jr is currently No. 12 with the IBF at 147 pounds.

Looking at recent form, both fighters have won four of their last five bouts. Barboza’s most recent outing was a unanimous decision loss to Teofimo Lopez in May 2025 for the WBO junior welterweight title, though he previously picked up quality wins over Jack Catterall, Jose Carlos Ramirez, Sean McComb, and Xolisani Ndongeni. Sims Jr is also coming off a loss, dropping a majority decision to Oscar Duarte in August 2025, but he scored solid wins prior to that against Kendo Castaneda, Jhonatan Romero, Batyr Akhmedov, and Rock Dodler Myrthil. Barboza has been slightly more active overall, fighting roughly every five months over his last five bouts compared to Sims’ average of nearly eight months, and his fights have tended to go longer, averaging over 10 rounds.

Betting Odds

Barboza Jr. +132

Kenneth Sims Jr. -170

Prediction

This matchup should be competitive, with Sims Jr using his reach and athleticism to keep the fight close early. However, Barboza’s experience against higher-level opposition and his ability to maintain a steady pace over championship rounds could prove decisive. Expect Sims to have moments, but Barboza’s consistency, ring IQ, and durability should allow him to control enough rounds. BEST BET:  Arnold Barboza Jr wins by unanimous decision +210

Oscar Collazo (13-0, 10 KO’s) vs. Jesus Haro (13-2. 2 KO’s)

When the bell rings Saturday night, the edge in experience at the world level and overall momentum clearly favors Oscar Collazo. The undefeated champion has proven himself against elite opposition and has shown a level of composure, accuracy, and finishing ability that few fighters in the strawweight division can match. His pressure style, sharp body work, and ability to control distance make him extremely difficult to deal with over the course of a fight.

For Jesus Haro, the key will be discipline and activity early. Haro has the amateur pedigree and toughness to compete, but he will need to keep the fight at range, move constantly, and avoid prolonged exchanges. If he allows Collazo to close the distance and set his rhythm, the champion’s volume punching and body attacks could quickly wear him down.  

Collazo’s recent run of knockouts suggests a fighter growing in confidence and power. Once he begins breaking opponents down with sustained body shots and combinations, the openings tend to grow wider as the rounds progress. Haro’s heart should keep him competitive, but the champion’s relentless pressure and accuracy are likely to take their toll.

Betting Odds

Oscar Collazo -10000

Jesus Haro +1800

Prediction

Collazo is by far the superior fighter and his odds back that.  Expect the champion to gradually break Haro down with body shots and steady pressure before forcing the referee to step in after a sustained barrage. We’ll try to predict which rounds this bout could end, adding some much-needed value for bettors.  BEST BETS: TKO in R7 (+750), TKO in R8 (+850)  

Gabriela Fundora (17-0, 9 KO’s) vs. Viviana Ruiz  (9-2, 5 KO’s)

Gabriela Fundora is a rising pound-for-pound star and faces WBA interim titlist Viviana Ruiz in a 10-round flyweight title consolidation fight.

Fundora (17-0, 9 KOs) has quickly become one of the most dominant forces in women’s boxing. The 23-year-old southpaw has finished five of her six fights in world title contests by stoppage, beginning with her fifth-round knockout of Arely Muciño in 2023 to claim the IBF flyweight title. She followed that up with a historic 2024 campaign that included victories over Daniela Asenjo, Christina Cruz, and Gabriela Alaniz to fully unify the 112-pound division, earning widespread recognition as the 2024 Women’s Fighter of the Year.

Ruiz, a Colombian fighter based in Sydney, is 43 but brings experience and determination, knowing this could be her final opportunity to claim a major championship. Despite Ruiz’s toughness, Fundora’s size, speed, and relentless pressure make her a heavy favorite. 

Betting Odds

Gabriela Fundora -50000

Viviana Ruiz +2500

Prediction

Expect the undefeated champion to control the pace and gradually break Ruiz down. Fundora should control this fight and expect a late stoppage, maybe around Round 6 or 7.  

BEST BET:  Fundora by TKO -400

Nonito Donaire (43-9, 28 KO’s) vs. Riku Masuda (9-1, 8 KO’s)

Nonito Donaire enters the bout with a remarkable record of 43 wins and 9 losses, including 28 victories by knockout. Across more than two decades in the professional ranks, the Filipino legend has built a résumé filled with championship fights and elite competition. Standing across the ring will be Japan’s rising contender Riku Masuda, who owns a 9-1 record with 8 knockouts, giving him an eye-catching 89 percent knockout rate compared to Donaire’s still impressive 65 percent.

At 43 years old, Donaire holds the experience edge by a massive margin but Donaire remains highly ranked at bantamweight, sitting No. 1 with the WBA, No. 7 with the WBO, and No. 8 with the IBF. Masuda is also climbing quickly, ranked inside the top 10 by multiple sanctioning bodies and No. 10 by The Ring.

Betting Odds

Nonito Donaire -205

Riku Masuda +157

Prediction

The key question is whether Donaire can control the pace early and land something decisive before Masuda settles in. If he cannot, the younger fighter’s speed and output should begin to take over in the middle rounds. Masuda offers underdog value and being the younger fighter, the deeper this goes, you have to side with Masuda.  BEST BET:  Masuda ML +157