When he started his career, he seemed to be one of the best talents we had in our gym. We lost our believe in him a little when he struggled against journeyman "Bugsy" Long Gawn though and when he got knocked out being way down on the scorecards against Super. He always claimed these fights simply came at the wrong time for him because he was dealing with weight issues. If you check out his record now, you will probably realize that he was right.
After Super had moved up to 160 the super welterweight division was really bad, probably the weakest division in the sport at that time. Simms did not really qualify for a title bout, he just had fought to a draw against Bugsy. But because there was no one else he got his shot and he became champion starting a terrific title run. At first his only good win was his first defense against Otto Blatty who back then was very green though.
Then finally he got the big fight. Tariq Wheeler Jr. had moved up after losing his welterweight title and Simms beat him clearly. After that he beat Brittney Skye, another former dominant champion at 147, clearly twice. It were an MD and a SD, but two judges had him ahead by several points. Since then his easiest defenses were against Ikeke, the fighter who fought to a draw against Wexley at 160, and Ginal Lynn. Both of them are solid contenders. Plus he had 3 very tough fights against Super, the man who had knocked him out before, but he came out victorious in all of these bouts. Super definitely proved he was not past it and Simms again was very close to a loss, but in the third fight he showed a great performance and won without any controversial. Super retired and Simms took on Wheeler again in his next fight. The result: A brilliant shutout victory over the former champion who had previously beaten top super welterweight prospect Lights Out. Still Wheeler got another shot a week later but he didnt seem to believe he could have a chance, he did not even throw 100 punches the entire fight what of course led to another 120-108 victory for the tremendous one.
Now unfortunately Travis Simms did not get a fight past Sunday. He also wont get the chance to defend his title on Wednesday. So hes asking for a defense come Sunday. On this day Lights Out and Wheeler will fight again in a rematch. Simms thinks Lights Out posesses all the tools needed to beat Wheeler. He thinks Lights Out could still be undefeated and Lights Out may become the new dominator after Super and him. So this is the fights Simms wants before retiring: Travis Simms vs. Lights Out
Give Simms one easy defense on Sunday. If Lights Out doesnt feel hes ready after that, give Simms another easy defense and then they eventually can make the next mega fight at 154. If Simms loses, he will definitely retire. If he wins, he will probably give Lights Out a rematch before retiring.
I dont know why I wrote so much, I only wanted to ask for a title defense for Simms come Sunday
But its ok, Simms will need a career review anyway when he wants to become a hall of famer. And his career is coming to an end now. Hes already 36.
