by David P. Greisman
Former junior-middleweight titleholder Travis Simms has pleaded not guilty to charges that arose from an August incident in which police officers subdued him with a stun gun, according to The (Norwalk, Conn.) Hour.
Simms, 41, was arrested in Norwalk after allegedly refusing to obey a police officer’s commands, per an article at the time in the Connecticut Post. Online court records show that he has been charged with one count of second-degree breach of peace and one count of interfering with an officer/resisting arrest. Both counts are misdemeanors.
He has a court date scheduled for Nov. 30.
Police had been at an apartment complex at the time responding to reports of a fight at a party, the articles said.
Simms won the World Boxing Association’s title at 154 pounds in 2003 with a knockout of Alejandro “Terra” Garcia, and defended it once in 2004 against Bronco McKart before being stripped of the title. He remained out of the ring for about two years, returning in January 2007 and stopping Jose Antonio Rivera to regain the belt.
He lost the belt in his next bout, however, dropping a unanimous decision to Joachim Alcine. Simms fought only twice more, his last outing coming in 2009, a win that brought his record to 27-1 with 20 knockouts.
Two years ago, prosecutors declined to pursue criminal cases against Travis and his twin brother, Tarvis, following an April argument between the two of them that turned physical and involved biting, a large knife and the grabbing of a gun, according to a report at the time from The Hour.
David P. Greisman is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. Follow David on Twitter @fightingwords2 or send questions/comments via email at fightingwords1@gmail.com
