Reshard Hicks succeeding despite late career start

By Justin Hackman

25/06/2019

Reshard Hicks succeeding despite late career start

Justin Hackman: [Reshard Hicks is a 34 year-old welterweight out of Kileen, Texas with a 12-0-1 pro record]. Reshard, you signed with Mike Cameron of the Cameron Management Team not too long ago.  What attracted you to Mike and his team? Reshard Hicks: He’s interactive and transparent. That’s a great combination for a manager. I want to know what is going on, and Mike is there communicating with me every step of the way.  He’s honest, and I trust him.  We don’t have our first fight fully made at this point, but we’re aiming for August.
 
JH: You were an All-American college athlete.  Tell me about that.
 
RH: I went to Fordham University, I played football, and ran track, and was named as an All American. I joined the military after that, and I am medically retired now.  I started boxing there as a way to get my strength back up after an illness.  My first time putting on a pair of gloves I was already 25.  
 
JH: What sort of illness forced you to medically retire from the military?
 
RH: A type of stomach cancer, my grandfather had it as well. I went through treatment, and came out the other end of it.  It’s not a bright time in my life, so beating it is nothing I brag about.  Because some people make it through and some people don’t.  I am just one of the lucky ones.  
 
JH: What specifically do you love about boxing that made you want to stick with it and become a professional?
 
RH: It’s a combat zone out there, and it’s just me.  I put my hard work in, and at the end of the day, if I don’t perform, I only have myself to blame. Yes, we have a great team, and I have great coaches, but at the end of the day, I am accountable for myself in that ring. So it’s a great personal challenge in that way.  But to be honest, some of the real challenges in being a boxer come outside the ring unfortunately.  I get a lot of initial interest from promoters, but then sometimes I feel like they see my age and then look away.  I got started late, yes, but my body is so well-preserved, and I’ve been a top-level athlete my whole life.  My ring years are few and I feel great.  
 
JH: What are your goals as a professional fighter?
 
RH: I’m hoping to stay as busy as possible.  To this point in my career, I haven’t fought more than twice in a year.  I’m kind of that ghost type of opponent, no one wants to fight me.  I’m a good fighter, capable of beating any opponent, and for them, losing to me is a real possibility, and then beating me, they don’t see much of an upside.  So it’s been difficult to find the right fights and stay busy.  But this is part of the reason I signed with Mike Cameron – to stay active and pile up the wins toward more exposure.  So as long as I keep winning, the TV dates, the titles, they will come.  But above all, I’m looking to provide for my family.  
 
JH: Do you have your eye on anyone specific in the top ten around 147?  
 
RH: Everyone in the top twenty, I’m aiming for right now.  Anybody that’s ranked a level above me, I’m ready. 
 
JH: Favorite fighter?
 
RH: Winky Wright.  He never ducked or dodged anybody.  He went to more popular opponents’ hometowns and took on all comers with no fear.  Winky, Floyd Mayweather, and Sweet Pea Whitaker, in not particular order.
 
JH: It’s been nice talking, Reshard; when you have a fight solidified for August, let’s chat again.
 
RH: Sounds great, thank you for the time.
 
 

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