Kenneth Sims Jr will get what he wanted, albeit nine months later than expected. Multiple reports suggest the proposed junior-welterweight showdown against Oscar Duarte is back in motion for August 2, from the 31-year-old's Chicago hometown.

Sims Jr-Duarte was originally set November 16 as part of Golden Boy Promotions' Latino Night in Riyadh, headlined by Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramirez's successful world cruiserweight unification effort against Bournemouth's now-former WBO titlist Chris Billam-Smith.

Dose of Boxing first reported news of the rebooked matchup, as well as Duarte's contract extension with Golden Boy. A formal announcement is expected in the next week.

Sims (22-2-1, 8 KOs) was forced to withdraw with a knee injury sustained in training, less than ten days out from their scheduled 10-rounder in the Saudi capital. Duarte outpointed short-notice foe Botirzhon Akhmedov, before both featured on the same card February 15.

Deja vu would've been on the mind of Duarte (29-2-1, 23 KOs) as he had to deal with another replacement, Miguel Madueno (31-4, 28 KOs) stepping up after two-time world champion Regis Prograis withdrew with a shoulder injury - there is no timeline for his return.

Duarte dismantled the 26-year-old en route to a seventh-round stoppage, as his rebuild from a December 2023 knockout loss by Ryan Garcia continues.

Sims, who beat Akhmedov via MD12 this time two years ago, has fluctuated between weight divisions and was a wide winner over Kendo Castaneda at 147-pounds.

Sims and Duarte stand alongside one another at No. 4 and No. 5 with the WBA, while newly-crowned champion Gary Antuanne Russell (18-1, 17 KOs) negotiates terms for a mandated title defence against No. 1-ranked contender Andy Hiraoka (24-0, 19 KOs).

Last month, he told BoxingScene of his frustration at being targeted online by trolls for the timing of his injury-enforced withdrawal and wanted their matchup rebooked.

"I want that fight because it isn't personal, I just don't like the internet stuff. We were scheduled to, but I had bursitis in both knees, couldn't walk for a couple of weeks, so that set me back.

"It's not like I pulled out because I didn't want to fight, I wouldn't have signed the contract in the first place. That was the biggest opportunity of my entire career, no way I'm backing out of that because I'm scared of somebody."