by James Slater: When he was last seen in a ring, “Tremendous” Travis Simms was being upset by the then largely unknown (in America, anyway) Joachim Alcine. Simms lost his WBA light-middleweight belt that July evening last year, getting out-pointed by the man from Canada..
Now, according to BoxRec.com, southpaw Simms is set to return this coming August as a middleweight. It is unclear why the talented 37-year-old took such a long layoff – the second of his career – following the loss to “Ti-Joa.” After all, Simms, while he was comprehensively out-scored, was not beaten up or badly hurt in the bout. In any case, the former champion has in all likelihood missed any chance he might have had for a revenge fight with Alcine – what with the Canadian being sensationally KO’d by Daniel Santos a short while back. Now looking for further challenges in a new weight class, Simms will no doubt attempt to get himself back in the title picture while doing his stuff a few pounds heavier.
Having just the one loss on his fine 26-fight record (19 KO’s), Simms is a boxer who may well have a good future ahead of him still. His class proven in wins over good fighters such as Bronco McKart (W U12), Alejandro Garcia (KO 5) and Jose Antonio Rivera (TKO 9), “Tremendous” may well add something to an already talent-laden 160-pound division.
Feeling his way back into things on August the 9th in South Carolina, Travis is set to meet the modest Mike McFail – currently 12-34-2(4). Listed on BoxRec as a cruiserweight (in his last bout he weighed 178 pounds), McFail, who has boxed mostly at or around the 150-160 pound mark, has only won one of his last 28 fights.
An easy touch for Simms to be sure, the one positive thing that can be said about the unfortunately surnamed 35-year-old is the fact that most of his losses have come via decision. And looking at his record, McFail has been in with a few good fighters. In losing on points to Rubin Williams, Willie Gibbs, Ivan Robinson and Harry Joe Yorgey, and taking Peter Manfredo Jr into the 8th round, the man from Virginia has at least proven he can last the rounds against good opposition. With no firepower of his own to speak of (only 4 KO’s), McFail is unlikely to trouble the usually slick Simms.
He sure has picked an easy one to come back with, but in a new weight class Travis Simms perhaps feels the need to be cautious. Look for him to get back on the winning track with an inside schedule victory on August 9th.