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Simeon ‘Candyman’ Hardy: Getting set to walk the walk after talking the talk
By Michael Benjamin
Muhammad Ali, regarded as the greatest boxer to ever enter the ‘square jungle,’ had perfected the rope-a-dope, emulated by droves of other succeeding pugilists but perfected by none. ‘The Greatest,’ as Ali was dubbed, later earned the nickname ‘The Lip’ through his verbal wit and charm that left many of his foes angry to the point of affecting their thinking and by extension, their fight strategy. Just as fighters worldwide emulated Ali’s rope-a dope, so too did they adopt his verbal offences in their strategizing camps.
Recently, local boxers have latched on to Ali’s ploy of ‘talking the talk’
Hardy is all concentration as he attacks the striking pads under the direction of Wensel Thomas yesterday afternoon
but unfortunately, many failed to ‘walk the walk.’ Simeon ‘Candyman’ Hardy, the man that has perfected the infamous ‘Chin Check’ a left hook that has left most of his opponents prostrate long after the count, has proven that he is refreshingly different and has fulfilled all of his pre-fight promises.
Unbeaten to date, Hardy has once again uttered barbs and threats at Howard ‘Battersea Bomber’ Eastman, who he meets in a return encounter on the Hurry Up Boxing Promotions ‘Foreign Invasion’ slated for the Banks DIH Thirst Park Ground, Saturday October 13 next.
Hardy has filled the slot for American middleweight, Frank Galarza after the latter boxer pulled out citing the effects of a brutal contest last week that ended in a draw. His management team was also reluctant to allow their charge to enter the ring so close on the heels of the grueling encounter. Not only did Hardy agree to the bout but he was extremely brash about his intentions, taking advantage of the verbal ploys established by ‘The Greatest.’
Yesterday afternoon, Hardy was hard at work at the Forgotten Youth Foundation (FYF), under the watchful eyes of Joseph Murray, honing his skills for the all important fight. One remembers the high level of respect that Hardy had accorded Eastman in their first encounter; it is now thrown out of the window to be replaced by stark disregard for Eastman.
On Sunday morning last, Hardy turned in several hectic rounds against Jermaine King, who opposes Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) middleweight champion, Edmond DeClou in a 6 rounds super/middleweight affair on the same card, and rising professional pugilist, Gladwyn Dorway. Hardy also sparred two additional rounds with another amateur boxer to bring his tally to date to just around 26 rounds. His coach, Joseph Murray said that before his training sessions are over, Hardy would have completed approximately 60 rounds.
The local welterweight champion also engaged in several rigorous rounds on the striking pads with Wensel Thomas and a few on the heavy bag before rounding off his sessions with a hectic skipping session.
Despite an earlier defeat of ‘Battersea Bomber,’ Hardy will know that he cannot take this fight lightly. Eastman is no slouch and he would have had enough time to correct any mistakes he would have made in the initial encounter. The ‘Battersea Bomber’ was not as garrulous as Hardy, but then again, he hardly is, but has promised to turn in a classic performance that will net him the victory.
Meanwhile, Orlan ‘Pocket Rocket’ Rogers scheduled to engage local featherweight champion Clive Atwell is scheduled open camp at the FYF this afternoon and will be honing his skills for this bout under the tutelage of Murray. He has also given his opponent much mouth and said that his decision to train in Georgetown is an indication of the level of seriousness attributed to the bout.
In other fights on the card, Leon Moore will lace up his gloves against Juan Carlos Pena out of the Dominican Republic while Anthony Augustin and Mitchell Rogers will square off in a highly anticipated heavyweight duel. Charlton Skeete will also challenge American Allan Phallen in a featherweight 4 rounder. The former pugilist, now in his third professional bout, attempts to notch up his inaugural victory. Admission prices and other details of the card are forthcoming shortly.
Hardy is all concentration as he attacks the striking pads under the direction of Wensel Thomas yesterday afternoon
In server benjie as ‘boxing hardy on pads 001 or 002’
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