Boxing: Simms has a chance to energize his career

The clock is ticking on Michael Simms.

Five years ago, Simms, who fights on Thursday night's card at Arco Arena, was amateur boxing's hottest topic.

In a rare trifecta during 1999 qualifying leading up the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia, Simms won three major events as a light-heavyweight, capped by a World Amateur Championships title.

Moreover, United States team officials believed Simms was their best chance for a gold medal until a flare-up over disciplinary rules led to his expulsion from the squad.

What has followed has been a slow-moving professional career as a cruiserweight.