BOXING: SIMS TARGETS BIG FIGHTS IN 2020, RETURNS THIS FRIDAY

Marlin “So Icey” Sims (6-0, 4 KO’s) continues his boxing journey against Wisconsin’s Mike Fowler this Saturday night at the Grand Casino in Hinckley, MN. At 5’10”, the Minneapolis southpaw is a tough puzzle to solve at featherweight. Then add to that his flashy, fan friendly style. Sims heads into the fight ready to kick off what he hopes will be a statement year. Fowler is a veteran of over 30 fights, most of which have come against prospects from around the world. Fowler has competed and gone the distance with locals Ramiro Hernandez, Markus Morris, Duarn Vue. Sims has a big opportunity to put himself in a state title type fight if Friday’s fight goes well. The Minnesota featherweight division was shaken up recently with the bad blood rivalry between Giezwa Hobbs and Brad Patraw having exploded. Sims says he would like to face them all on his quest to climb the rankings.

Minnesota Fight News caught up with Sims to discuss this Friday night’s fight, potential featherweight match ups and more.

Let’s get right to your next fight. I think it’s the biggest of your career. What are your thoughts heading into the fight against Mike Fowler?
I definitely do not underestimate him because of his record. He has fought tough opponents, such as current world champion Devin Haney . He went five rounds with him. It’s definitely something you have to think about. You look at someones record and you assume that they’re a bum or easy work. You can be misled or underestimate him and not prepare hard enough. That’s how you get upset. I do not take him lightly. I train for him like it’s my time, every time.

He has fought a lot of local fighters and done well. Were you able to watch any of those fights?
I saw him fight (Ramiro) Hernandez. It was a pretty good fight. He came out fast at the beginning of it. It did go the distance. I also saw him fight Lydell Rhodes. Lydell did everything he wanted to do but it did go the distance. I do believe he’s very durable. Two of my fights went the distance, the rest were knockouts. It’ll be a good time for me to get those rounds in. I’m always prepared and ready to go the distance.

Talk about training camp.
Everyone says it’s the best training camp they ever had. I can definitely feel the difference in every training camp I’ve ever had. It’s next level every time. I have a new gym, a new training facility, that’s located in Hopkins. It’s a phenomenal place, so it’s going amazing.

What goals are you looking for in the coming year?
I want to fight some of the guys who are going to push me to the next level and go through some of that adversity and come through it. I did it in my second fight and it felt amazing. It was definitely a power booster. I just want to keep going. I want start at this local level with big fights and then push into the national scene.

There has been a lot of noise locally in the featherweight scene. We have Giezwa Hobbs and Brad Patraw feuding. You have talked about facing Ramiro Hernandez. There are a lot of big fights out here. Would you like to fight those guys?
I’d definitely be interested. Those are the challenges I need. If I want to get to these world titles, I need to take care of people in my state. They’ve been in this for their whole life. I’ve been here for six years. Those are the fights that I am looking for. The dedication and things that I’ve achieved, I’m just dedicated. I’m willing to fight anybody from 126-130.

What are your thoughts on the Main event between Phil Williams and Al Sands?
I saw the first one. I got Phil with a KO early in maybe three rounds or less. Al Sands is good but Phil, once he gets that hand on you…

What can fans expect from you on Friday night?
I do expect to start out a lot faster. That’s something I want to hold myself to if the game plan is working. I want to continue to put the wheel on them. I showed everyone I can box and I can bang. I want to show them everything we’ve done in training. I hope everyone comes out not only to see my fight, but the whole show. It’s going to be a great night.