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{{short description|American boxer}}
{{Infobox boxer
|name=Travis Simms
|image=
|image_size=
|caption=
|realname=
|birth_date={{Birth date and age|1971|05|01|mf=y}}
|birth_place=[[Norwalk, Connecticut]], U.S.
|nickname=Tremendous
|weight=[[Light middleweight]]
|height=5 ft 9+1/2 in
|reach=69 in
|style=[[Southpaw stance|Southpaw]]
|total=29
|wins=28
|KO=19
|losses=1
|draws=
|no contests=
}}

'''Travis Simms''' (born May 1, 1971) is a [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] member of the [[Connecticut House of Representatives]], where he represents the [[Connecticut's 140th assembly district|140th Assembly District]]. The district consists of the central part of the city of [[Norwalk, Connecticut|Norwalk]]. He previously served on Norwalk's Common Council. Prior to his political career he was a professional [[boxing|boxer]] in the [[super welterweight]] (154 lb) division.

==Background==
Simms is a native of the [[South Norwalk]] section of [[Norwalk, Connecticut|Norwalk]], Connecticut. His childhood street bears his name "Travis Simms Way". He is currently a member of the Norwalk Common Council. His identical twin brother, [[Tarvis Simms]], is also a fighter.

==Boxing career==
Simms, nicknamed "Tremendous", turned pro late at the age of 26, after a stellar amateur career. Although he held the title twice, he was still undefeated until his 26th bout. He first won it in 2003, but was stripped of the belt in May 2005 because he filed a lawsuit against the WBA Organization (in November 2004) for not enforcing his mandatory contract that he received from the organization when he won the regular world title from [[Alejandro García (boxer)|Alejandro Garcia]] 2 December 2003.

Simms made a request to enforce his mandate or strip the Super champion [[Ronald "Winky" Wright]].

As the result of an out-of-court settlement in the summer of 2006, the WBA reinstated Simms as "Champion in Recess" in August 2006 while maintaining the full champion status of reigning champion [[Jose Antonio Rivera]]. On 6 January 2007, Simms won a nine-round knockout victory against [[Jose Antonio Rivera|Jose Antonio "El Gallo" Rivera]] in a championship bout in [[Hollywood, Florida]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=2722867|title=Simms stops Rivera, wins WBA super welterweight title|date=7 January 2007 |publisher=ESPN|access-date=2024-01-06}}</ref>

On 7 July 2007, Simms lost his title in a controversial Decision to [[Joachim Alcine]], of Montreal, Quebec (Canada) in the [[Arena at Harbor Yard]] in [[Bridgeport, Connecticut]]

==Professional boxing record==
{{BoxingRecordSummary
|draws=1
|nc=
|ko-wins=19
|ko-losses=0
|dec-wins=9
|dec-losses=1
|dq-wins=
|dq-losses=
}}
{|class=wikitable style=text-align:center
|-
!{{abbr|No.|Number}}
!Result
!Record
!Opponent
!Type
!Round, time
!Date
!Location
!Notes
|-
|29
|{{yes2}}Win
|28–1
|align=left|Jess Noriega
|UD
|6 (6)
|2014-06-21
|align=left|{{small|Main Event Fitness Center, Columbia, South Carolina, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|28
|{{yes2}}Win
|27–1
|align=left|Marcus Luck
|TKO
|3 (8)
|2009-06-20
|align=left|{{small|Radisson Hotel, Columbia, South Carolina, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|27
|{{yes2}}Win
|26–1
|align=left|Mike McFail
|UD
|6 (6)
|2008-08-09
|align=left|{{small|Radisson Hotel, Columbia, South Carolina, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|26
|{{no2}}Loss
|25–1
|align=left|[[Joachim Alcine]]
|UD
|12 (12)
|2007-07-07
|align=left|{{small|[[Total Mortgage Arena|The Arena at Harbor Yard]], Bridgeport, Connecticut, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Lost WBA light middleweight title}}
|-
|25
|{{yes2}}Win
|25–0
|align=left|[[José Antonio Rivera]]
|TKO
|9 (12)
|[[Samuel Peter vs. James Toney II|Jan 6, 2007]]
|align=left|{{small|[[Hard Rock Live|Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino]], Hollywood, Florida, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Won WBA light middleweight title}}
|-
|24
|{{yes2}}Win
|24–0
|align=left|[[Bronco McKart]]
|UD
|12 (12)
|[[Félix Trinidad vs. Ricardo Mayorga|2004-10-02]]
|align=left|{{small|[[Madison Square Garden]], New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Retained WBA (Regular) light middleweight title}}
|-
|23
|{{yes2}}Win
|23–0
|align=left|[[Alejandro García (boxer)|Alejandro García]]
|KO
|5 (12)
|[[Night of the Undisputed|2003-12-13]]
|align=left|{{small|[[Boardwalk Hall]], Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Won [[World Boxing Association|WBA]] (Regular) light middleweight title}}
|-
|22
|{{yes2}}Win
|22–0
|align=left|Anton Robinson
|TKO
|7 (12)
|2002-11-01
|align=left|{{small|[[Louisville Gardens]], Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Won [[North American Boxing Association|NABA]] light middleweight title}}
|-
|21
|{{yes2}}Win
|21–0
|align=left|Alex Carrillo Villa
|TKO
|1 (8)
|2002-08-10
|align=left|{{small|[[Center Stage (Atlanta)|Earthlink Live]], Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|20
|{{yes2}}Win
|20–0
|align=left|Gary Grant
|UD
|6 (6)
|2002-01-31
|align=left|{{small|[[Columbia National Guard Armory|National Guard Armory]], Columbia, South Carolina, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|19
|{{yes2}}Win
|19–0
|align=left|John Lennox Lewis
|TKO
|4 (8)
|2001-04-01
|align=left|{{small|Club Amazura, Jamaica, Queens, New York, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|18
|{{yes2}}Win
|18–0
|align=left|Anthony Brooks
|KO
|2 (8)
|2001-03-17
|align=left|{{small|Benton Convention Center, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|17
|{{yes2}}Win
|17–0
|align=left|James Mullins
|TKO
|3 (8)
|2001-02-24
|align=left|{{small|Golden Gloves Arena, Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|16
|{{yes2}}Win
|16–0
|align=left|[[Kevin Kelly (boxer)|Kevin Kelly]]
|UD
|8 (8)
|[[Lennox Lewis vs. David Tua|2000-11-11]]
|align=left|{{small|[[Michelob Ultra Arena|Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino]], Paradise, Nevada, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|15
|{{yes2}}Win
|15–0
|align=left|Samuel Duggins
|KO
|1 (?)
|2000-10-21
|align=left|{{small|Columbia, South Carolina, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|14
|{{yes2}}Win
|14–0
|align=left|Darrett Crockett
|TKO
|6 (8)
|2000-09-23
|align=left|{{small|Camden, South Carolina, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|13
|{{yes2}}Win
|13–0
|align=left|Benji Singleton
|UD
|10 (10)
|2000-04-14
|align=left|{{small|Hubbnell Gym, Bridgeport, Connecticut, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|12
|{{yes2}}Win
|12–0
|align=left|Bernice Barber
|TKO
|3 (?)
|1999-10-28
|align=left|{{small|Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|11
|{{yes2}}Win
|11–0
|align=left|Mack Willis
|TD
|4 (?)
|1999-09-30
|align=left|{{small|Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|10
|{{yes2}}Win
|10–0
|align=left|Alonzo Sojourney
|TKO
|1 (?)
|1999-08-07
|align=left|{{small|[[Bon Secours Wellness Arena|Bi-Lo Center]], Greenville, South Carolina, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|9
|{{yes2}}Win
|9–0
|align=left|Keith Williams
|KO
|1 (4)
|1999-05-21
|align=left|{{small|[[Greensboro Coliseum Complex#Greensboro Coliseum|Coliseum]], Greensboro, North Carolina, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|8
|{{yes2}}Win
|8–0
|align=left|Thomas Macera
|TKO
|1 (?)
|1999-05-08
|align=left|{{small|Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|7
|{{yes2}}Win
|7–0
|align=left|Devin Arthurs
|TKO
|1 (4)
|1999-02-19
|align=left|{{small|[[Capitol Theatre (Port Chester, New York)|Capitol Theatre]], Port Chester, New York, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|6
|{{yes2}}Win
|6–0
|align=left|Thomas Johnson
|TKO
|4 (4)
|1998-10-22
|align=left|{{small|Roxy Theater, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|5
|{{yes2}}Win
|5–0
|align=left|Richard Gonzalez
|UD
|4 (4)
|1998-07-31
|align=left|{{small|[[The Orleans]], Paradise, Nevada, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|4
|{{yes2}}Win
|4–0
|align=left|Quinton Virgen
|PTS
|4 (4)
|1998-05-28
|align=left|{{small|[[Roxy Theatre (Atlanta)|Roxy Theater]], Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|3
|{{yes2}}Win
|3–0
|align=left|Elijah McNeil
|TKO
|4 (4)
|1998-04-25
|align=left|{{small|Sportsfest, Staten Island, New York, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|2
|{{yes2}}Win
|2–0
|align=left|Stuart Daniels
|KO
|1 (4)
|1998-03-12
|align=left|{{small|The Vanderbilt, Plainview, New York, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|1
|{{yes2}}Win
|1–0
|align=left|Michael Brown
|TKO
|3 (?)
|1998-02-10
|align=left|{{small|Casino Rouge, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|}

==Later in life==
Police arrested Simms on 19 August 2012 after he refused to leave a large disturbance involving the widow of his adopted brother.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/local/article/Former-boxer-Norwalk-councilman-arrested-Tasered-3800669.php|title=Former boxer, Norwalk councilman arrested, Tasered|publisher=Stamford Advocate|access-date=2024-01-06}}</ref> He was found not guilty on all charges on 4 December 2014.

Also, on Monday 20 October 2014 Simms was arrested after reporting a gun stolen out of his Range Rover. He informed police that the handgun was loaded with 12 rounds of ammunition which is a violation of Connecticut law which limits magazine capacity to 10 rounds.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehour.com/norwalk/article/Councilman-turns-himself-in-on-warrant-Monday-8112912.php|title=Councilman turns himself in on warrant Monday|work=The Hour |date=20 October 2014 |access-date=2024-01-06}}</ref>

==Political career==
For a decade, Simms served on the Norwalk City Council representing District B consisting of South Norwalk.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.housedems.ct.gov/Simms/Biography|title=TRAVIS SIMMS|publisher=Connecticut House Democrats|access-date=2024-01-06}}</ref> In November 2018, Simms won the state legislature's 140th seat representing Norwalk.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ringtv.com/592701-travis-simms-contender-state-politics/|title=AFTER BATTLING BOXING'S POLITICS, TRAVIS SIMMS IS A RISING CONTENDER IN STATE POLITICS|date=26 February 2020 |publisher=The Ring|access-date=2024-01-06}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[List of southpaw stance boxers]]
*[[List of boxing families#United States|List of boxing families]]
*[[List of world light-middleweight boxing champions]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Boxrec|id=22453}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-sports}}
{{s-text|style=background:#C1D8FF; font-weight: bold;|text=Regional boxing titles}}
|-
{{s-vac|last=Jose Flores}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[North American Boxing Association|NABA Light Middleweight champion]]
|years=November 1, 2002 – 2003 Vacated}}
{{s-vac|next=[[Ángel Hernández (boxer)|Ángel Hernández]]}}
{{s-text|style=background:#C1D8FF; font-weight: bold;|text=World boxing titles}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Alejandro García (boxer)|Alejandro García]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of WBA world champions#Secondary champion lineage 6|WBA light middleweight champion]] Regular title
|years=December 13, 2003 – March 20, 2005 Promoted}}
{{s-vac|next=[[Austin Trout]]}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-vac|last=[[Winky Wright]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of WBA world champions#Super welterweight|WBA Light Middleweight champion]]
|years=March 20, 2005 – June 2005 Stripped}}
{{s-aft|after=Alejandro García {{small|promoted from interim status}}}}
{{s-bef|before=[[José Antonio Rivera]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=WBA Light Middleweight champion
|years=January 6, 2007 – July 7, 2007}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Joachim Alcine]]}}
{{s-text|style=background:#C1D8FF; font-weight: bold;|text=Honorary boxing titles}}
{{s-new}}
{{s-ttl|title=WBA Light Middleweight Champion in Recess
|years=August 2006 – January 6, 2007 Regained title}}
{{s-vac|next=[[Jermell Charlo]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{Connecticut House of Representatives}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Simms, Travis}}
[[Category:1971 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American male boxers]]
[[Category:Boxers from Connecticut]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Norwalk, Connecticut]]
[[Category:American twins]]
[[Category:World light-middleweight boxing champions]]
[[Category:World Boxing Association champions]]
[[Category:African-American boxers]]
[[Category:Southpaw boxers]]
[[Category:Democratic Party members of the Connecticut House of Representatives]]
[[Category:Connecticut city council members]]
[[Category:Politicians from Norwalk, Connecticut]]
[[Category:21st-century members of the Connecticut General Assembly]]
[[Category:American athlete-politicians]]
[[Category:20th-century American sportsmen]]

Travis Simms - Revision history

imported>Citation bot: Add: date, work. Removed parameters. | Use this bot. Report bugs. | Suggested by Abductive | Category:World Boxing Association champions | #UCB_Category 519/667