After cleaning up the locals

Jun 19, 2013 Sports

Simeon ‘Candyman’ Hardy to fight in California next month

By Michael Benjamin
After just about 6 months in the United States of America, former World Boxing Council Caribbean Boxing Federation (WBCCABOFE) welterweight champion, Simeon ‘Candyman’ Hardy, is set to resume his career when he engages a soon to be named opponent in an 8 rounds welterweight contest in California USA, July 12 next.

Hardy (extreme left) strikes a pose with Robert Garcia (2nd left), Marco Maidana (3rd left) and other gym mates after practice sessions. Maidana had one week earlier defended his world title against Josesito Lopez.

Kaieteur Sport caught up with Hardy yesterday morning shortly after he had completed his workout at the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy in that American state and he said that he is blending in nicely in his new environment. He said that he is working out among great fighters and the experience is standing him in good stead.
“I am working out daily and focusing on the game while sparring with world champs and top prospects,” Hardy said. He further said that the environment is very competitive and allows him to improve on his craft. Hardy explained that initially he has been living and training in Las Vegas but moved over to California about 4 months ago since more opportunities are available there. He is managed by top American manager Cameron Dunkin and trained by Tim Bradley, also his co-manager.
The former WBCCABOFE welterweight champion said that there is no paucity of sparring partners at his end and he has been boxing with undefeated prospect Jessie Vargas, two times world champion, Marco Maidana, world champ, Brandon Rios and John Molina among other top ranked pugilists. Hardy also said that Maidana is scheduled to fight Manny Pacquiao in November and he (Hardy) will be among his sparring partners.
Meanwhile, Hardy said that his decision to opt out of the WBC 50th anniversary championship stemmed from advice received from his management team.
“I’m seeking world title shots; my manager knows how to charter my course and I’m doing it his way,” said Hardy. “The tournament would have been a great opportunity but it’s almost 2 years since the scheduled start and nothing is happening so I decided to move on,” he further explained.
The budding champion seemed to have made an impression in the American boxing community and was recently interviewed by American journalist, Chris Robinson, where he reminisced on the tough journey from the tiny East Coast Village of Plaisance to the Sophia squatting area before ‘trying out his hand’ at the fistic sport.
Hardy spoke of those days when he trekked through muddy dams fetching water to cook and wash coupled with an additional 3 miles journey to school. He said that the community was also devoid of electricity. He further said that he was inspired to be a boxer after seeing his big cousin, Wayne ‘Big Truck’ Braithwaite, in action.
He became the ‘Candyman’ after a ‘dangerous’ character of a movie and subsequently had the ‘Chin Checker’ sobriquet pinned on him following a devastating left hook that left several of his opponents prostrate on the canvass.
Hardy also reminisces, with a tinge of sadness, on his latter days as an amateur boxer when he was on the verge of stripping off his shirt. He said that he had to postpone his debut on three occasions after his opponents developed cold feet and cancelled the fight.
Patrick Boston boldly took up the challenge in October 2010 and Hardy vented his frustrations on him with a 20 seconds knockout. Several other opponents felt the brunt of his power and Hardy left Guyana with a 10-0 record, 7 abbreviated and a 70% knockout ratio.
Hardy always believed that he had the fistic tools to reach the top of his game and emulate his cousin ‘Big Truck’ Braithwaite. He is now ready to walk the walk as he has talked the talk when he steps into the ring on July 12 next.

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