Simeon Hardy shaping up well for toughest fight of his career in ProAm boxing card

Jan 21, 2012 Sports

Simeon Hardy, best known for the famous ‘chin checker;’ a wicked left hook that has left his

Hardy and King mix it up during sparring sessions yesterday afternoon.

opponents prostrate, has further enhanced his reputation as a devastating puncher when he dealt Iwan ‘Pure Gold’ Azore a vicious left hook that staggered him and opened a cut over his eye. That bout was unofficial and was instigated after the two attended the signing ceremony and after an exchange of caustic remarks earlier in the month.
Referee, Eon Jardine quickly assessed the situation and pulled the two combatants apart and thereafter adopted a strategic position in the centre to avoid another infraction. The two pugilists subsequently trudged off to their respective gyms to prepare for the real fight, scheduled for the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) on Friday January 27 next.
Azore trains out of the Five Star Boxing Gym situated at Grove ECD while Hardy is preparing for combat at the Forgotten Youth Foundation (FYF), James Street, Albouystown. Yesterday afternoon, Hardy sharpened his techniques after boxing several hectic rounds under the watchful eyes of his coach, Sebert Blake. His opponents were Laured Stewart and Jermaine King. The former is one of the country’s better amateur boxers while the latter is preparing for a return bout against Cecil Smith on the same card.
Hardy looks in the pink of condition and while we have been unable to visit Azore at his training place, his past performances, once they are replicated, could see the welterweight shindig evolving into a crowd pleasing affair.
Blake feels that his charge will emerge victorious. He lauded Hardy’s work ethic even as he assumed a watchful position at ringside shouting instructions and reprimands. “I will refrain from a prediction but I know that Simeon has the tools to win by knockout,” said Blake. He further assured that his charge is training intensely for the bout and is quite capable of taking care of Azore.
Several other bouts comprise the 8 bout card which also features four amateur bouts. The Hardy/Azore bout is the main attraction of the professional segment for the WBC CABOFE welterweight belt. Anthony Augustin will lace up gloves against Mitchell Rogers in a heavyweight 4 rounder which could net the winner a return bout against the champion, Kurt Bess.
Cecil Smith was also hard at work in preparation for his bout with Jermaine King in another welterweight shindig. He is also expected to commence sparring sessions sometime this week. He has rendered King to second best in their bout last year but King would have benefitted from a stint in the Twin Island Republic where he returned and held Barbadian Miguel Antoine to a 4 rounds stalemate. He is bristling with confidence and has already signaled an intention to win. The final professional bout will witness Patrick Boston in a middleweight clash with Edmond DeClou. The southpaw King gave a good account of himself while sparring with Hardy yesterday afternoon. The other bout brings together James Walcott against Edmond DeClou in a middleweight scrap.
The bouts will not be shown live as happened before but will be televised for a future airing. Admission remains at $1,000 for adults with children paying half that price.