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KENNETH SIMS JR. RECALLS WORKING WITH PACQUIAO AND BERTO AS HE EMULATED MAYWEATHER IN SPARRING

By Percy Crawford | October 12, 2015
KENNETH SIMS JR. RECALLS WORKING WITH PACQUIAO AND BERTO AS HE EMULATED MAYWEATHER IN SPARRING

"Actually, the first time that I went to camp with Pacquiao, it was like, I had went to Wildcard and I sparred there…I try to get hit as little as possible, so I think that's one reason I get the comparisons, and my footwork. That's my main thing, my footwork is really good. But I think I'm more aggressive than Floyd offensively, but he's Floyd. Nobody going to really emulate him perfectly, but I do my best," stated jr. welterweight Kenneth Sims Jr., who talked about what it was like to work with Manny Pacquiao and Andre Berto as he emulated Floyd Mayweather in sparring for their respective bouts. Check it out!

PC: You're coming off of a unanimous decision victory in April. How do you feel about your performance?

KSJ: My last fight wasn't really... the guy was awkward. I don't feel as if I looked good, but everybody that saw the fight told me I looked good. I felt kind of off that day, but I did what I had to do to get it done.

PC: Any tentative dates for your return to the ring?

KSJ: Right now, I'm in the gym still training and sparring every day, but right now, I don't have any fights lined up. My manager working on some stuff for me, but as of now, I don't have anything scheduled. I'm just staying in shape and staying ready.

PC: How soon would you like to be back in there if you had it your way?

KSJ: As soon as possible. April is a long layoff for me and I haven't fought since then, so as soon as possible for me. I could have gone a week ago and it wouldn't bother me.

PC: You've been a part of some great camps. Tell me about the experience that you took away from those camps?

KSJ: I've been in camp with Pacquiao, Jorge Linares, and I just got back from camp with Berto. It's a big confidence boost being in there with them guys and being able to do what I was able to do and showing a good account of myself against them. All three of them telling me that I'm going to be great and that I'm going to be a world champion, and that's coming from world champions, former world champions, and future world champions, so it's a good experience.

PC: When you're brought in to emulate the best boxer in the world and possibly of this generation, that has to be a confidence booster as well for people to think you can give them the look of a Floyd Mayweather.

KSJ: Yeah! Actually, the first time that I went to camp with Pacquiao, it was like, I had went to Wildcard and I sparred there. That was the first time Freddie Roach had ever seen me; that was back in January. And then I got a call a month later saying he wanted me to come there and train with Pacquiao. And they told me to just be myself pretty much and just do what I do. I mean, I watch Floyd a lot, but I don't really try to copy him. I guess it's just natural.

PC: I was going to ask you, do you feel like you have Mayweather's style or because you are a slick fighter, they draw the comparisons?

KSJ: I try to get hit as little as possible, so I think that's one reason I get the comparisons, and my footwork. That's my main thing, my footwork is really good. But I think I'm more aggressive than Floyd offensively, but he's Floyd. Nobody going to really emulate him perfectly, but I do my best.

PC: It's a different time in boxing where fans and even media don't appreciate the hit and not get hit style as much as they did in the past. Do you think that's kind of a lost art to use angles and footwork and things like that to avoid those brawling type of fights?

KSJ: I think people outside of boxing, that's what they want. They want the brawls and everything, but the people inside of boxing know that that's not healthy for a fighter. Being in the ring and getting hit a lot is not healthy for a fighter in the long run. I think it's a good thing to avoid getting hit as much as possible. The people that only watch it, the fans want to see blood and guts, but that's not what boxing is. Those are fights; that's not what boxing is.

PC: What are your thoughts on the sport overall right now with the amount of exposure it's getting in the mainstream.

KSJ: I feel like boxing is getting bigger because it's on TV like every other night now. More people are seeing it now. When I'm at home, I get random people calling me saying that they were just watching boxing on FOX or something like that and it's on a Tuesday or Wednesday night. So more people I know personally are getting more into boxing.

PC: What have you learned about yourself during the course of your 6-fight career? What have you taken away from your time as a pro?

KSJ: Actually, I've been learning more from those camps I've been in since I've been pro. I feel like going up the ladder as a pro, I feel like I'm more skilled than anybody out there right now. The experience and confidence that I gained during those camps was unbelievable. When I was in camp with Pacquiao, I did really good, and after that, I just skyrocketed. It's not like I got so much better that month, but it's the confidence that makes you grow and learn, knowing that you were in there with one of the greatest to do it and holding your own.

PC: Can we expect you to be at 140 for a while? You were a tall lightweight and still tall for junior welterweight.

KSJ: Yeah, I'm going to be at 140 for a while. I was at 135 last year and moved up to 140 two fights ago. It's pretty easy for me to make 140. In the amateurs, I was fighting at 132, but I'm still growing. I've gotten taller over the past couple of months. We will see; I don't know.

PC: Your dad is in your corner. How important is that to have him as a part of your team?

KSJ: My pops been my coach since the beginning and it's super important to me because even at home, I know I need to stay focused because he's around. His presence makes me not lose sight of my goals.

PC: Sometimes when there is a father-son combo in boxing, the relationship gets strained because it's boxing 24/7 and there is no separation. Is that a concern at all for you?

KSJ: I love boxing, so I don't ever not want to talk about boxing with my dad. I like talking about boxing with my dad. Anytime we talk about boxing, it's fine with me. But we know how to separate boxing from him being my father. But we sit and have a whole discussion about boxing at any time and it doesn't bother me at all. I like talking about the sport, especially with him.

PC: You're from Chicago and they have had some great talent come through there. You have yourself and Semajay Thomas representing the Windy City now. Do you put that on your back and carry it into the ring?

KSJ: Yeah! I want to bring big fights to Chicago. My dream is to have a fight at The United Center and bring the whole city out.

PC: Are there any fights you looking forward to watching coming up?

KSJ: I want to see that Cotto and Canelo fight. And I want to see Andre Ward get back in there. That's basically my big brother.

PC: I appreciate the time. Best of luck to you whenever you get your next date and I look forward to having you on the site more often. Is there anything else you want to add before I let you go?

KSJ: Thank you. I appreciate the opportunity and support, and everyone can follow me on Twitter and Instagram @KennethSimsJr.



[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]

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