By Emmerson Campbell
Newly-crowned World Boxing Council (WBC) Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) welterweight champion, Simeon ‘Candy Man’ Hardy said that he is planning to campaign overseas in preparation for the WBC Cup that boxes off in May. The WBC Cup is a 40-week tournament to celebrate the WBC’s 50th anniversary, and it will allow boxers in the tournament from all around the world to receive lucrative pay days as well as international exposure.
The 24-year-old Hardy, who won the vacant title by knocking out Iwan ‘Pure Gold’ Azore in the ninth round of their bout last Friday, plans to do everything possible to increase his chances of winning the tournament.
“I have a few people working along with me to get me some overseas exposure,” Hardy told Stabroek Sport in an exclusive interview yesterday. “I know going out there in the tournament I will be facing world class boxers so I have to do a lot of hard work and whatever it takes to get me as best prepared as possible.”
The winner of each division in the WBC Cup will walk away with US$250,000 (50 million Guyana dollars) and even the very first round of elimination fights as CABOFE champions, according to reports, will earn as much as US$20,000 (four million Guyana dollars) to US$30,000 (six million Guyana dollars) for the winner and US$50,000 (10 million Guyana dollars) to US$70,000 ( 14 million Guyana dollars) for the winner, sums that are usually not readily available at this stage of a fighter’s career.
The knockout specialist known for his patented punch dubbed the ‘chin checker’ cited the lack of quality local welterweights as well as sparring partners as the reason for his decision.
“I don’t really have competition over here so to get some good sparring sessions and so on I may take a few trips to Trinidad and Barbados or wherever have good sparring partners because it would be cheaper for me to go than bringing sparring partners here and accommodating them,” said the ‘Candy Man’.
Hardy also disclosed that he is interested in taking on any challengers in the welterweight division who are willing to step in the ring as warm-ups for the tournament.
“I am interested in taking a fight maybe as a warm-up possibly next month end,” Hardy pointed out.
“Whoever wants to step in the ring at 147 (the welterweight limit) I’m out to face anybody, I don’t have a problem facing anyone. I heard (Mark) Austin was at the boxing board and proposed a challenge to me saying he has the ‘iron chin’ and we all know I check chins so I don’t have a problem with facing him – he is more premature than amateur,” Hardy stated.
The CABOFE welterweight champion also thanked his fans and his corporate sponsors for their support.
