By Francisco Salazar

INGLEWOOD - Super middleweight Anthony Sims, Jr. defeated Vaughn Alexander by unanimous decision over 10 rounds.

Sims was taking a significant step-up in opposition as Alexander had fought better opposition and had not been stopped.

The 24-year-old Sims, who is originally from Plainfield, Indiana and now lives and trains in the Los Angeles area, stood in the pocket with Alexander. Some of his punches strayed below the belt of Alexander, drawing an occasional warning from referee Thomas Taylor.

By the middle rounds, Sims was content to box from distance, while Alexander looked to counter with one punch. The lulls in action brought down a cascade of boos from the crowd, who grew restless with each passing moment during the second half of the fight.

Sims did not do himself any favors with the crowd as he was content to fight from distance, doing little to exchange with Alexander.

Scores were 98-92, 98-92, and 96-94 for Sims, who improves to 19-0, 17 KOs. Boxingscene scored the bout 97-93 for Sims.

Alexander, who is the older brother of former world titleholder Devon Alexander, drops to 14-3, 9 KOs. The Saint Louis, Missouri resident has now lost three of his last five bouts.

Francisco A. Salazar has written for krikya360.com since September of 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (Calif.) Star newspaper. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing