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Medway’s Charlie Hickford on his win over Yin Caicedo and the potential for professional show in his home county

05:00, 16 February 2024

updated: 09:30, 16 February 2024

Charlie Hickford predicts there will be a big boxing show in Kent within the next year after he earned his second win as a professional on Saturday.

Hickford, who boxes out of Chatham’s Ropes & Glory Pro /Amateur gym under father Steve and club head coach Dan Woledge Sr, knocked out Colombian fighter Yin Caicedo at London’s Copper Box Arena.

Medway’s Charlie Hickford goes toe-to-toe with Yin Caicedo on Saturday on his way to victory. Picture: Stephen Dunkley/Queensberry Promotions
Medway’s Charlie Hickford goes toe-to-toe with Yin Caicedo on Saturday on his way to victory. Picture: Stephen Dunkley/Queensberry Promotions

Fellow promising young Chatham fighter Karol Itauma was involved in the same show as “Classy” Charlie, winning on points against Eros Seghetti.

Maidstone man Sam Noakes also became a British lightweight champion after stopping Lewis Sylvester.

Speaking to Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions, Hickford said: “They’re all top boys from Kent.

“In Medway alone, there’s a few of us. Karol was on the card, as well.

“I’m sure, within the next year, that there will be a show (in Kent).

“Hopefully, I can be on it and can steal the show!”

It was only a second bout for featherweight Hickford after turning professional last November.

“It’s one of those things where it takes time to adjust,” he said.

“Slowly but surely I’m getting there, adjusting my range and slowing down the pace. It takes time - but it’s getting there and the team is pleased.”

From left, Steve Hickford (coach), Charlie Hickford, Jason Fielding (cutsman), Dan Woledge Snr (coach) and Paul O'Neill (nutritionist) after Hickford’s win over Yin Caicedo. Picture: Stephen Dunkley / Queensberry Promotions
From left, Steve Hickford (coach), Charlie Hickford, Jason Fielding (cutsman), Dan Woledge Snr (coach) and Paul O'Neill (nutritionist) after Hickford’s win over Yin Caicedo. Picture: Stephen Dunkley / Queensberry Promotions

British and WBA continental champion Nathan Heaney was part of the Queensberry Promotions commentary team and praised Hickford for his performance against Caicedo.

Hickford said: “Coming from yourself as a champion, it’s an honour.

“He was a very awkward opponent. I know he has boxed for a youth title before, so it’s the right stepping stones that I need.

“Sometimes, I felt like I rushed my work a little bit - but it’s one of those things. I’m learning.

“It’s only my second fight.”

The fight was called off by the referee with two minutes of the penultimate round of the four-round contest to go.

Asked if he knew he was hurting Caicedo, Hickford replied: “I would say so.

“There were a few times that I got him with some shots and I could see he’s not in a good way.

“I might have rushed it a little bit - but you’re saying that I didn’t - and you were the ones watching it! I’ll have to watch it back and assess it. I’m pleased.

“I’ll have a rest-up, get back into camp and then get ready for the next one.”

More boxing: Noakes’ path to world title shot

More boxing: Branson-Cole puts on a show

Moses Itauma looks set for a frustrating wait to fight again after a sparring injury to Tyson Fury.

A cut above the eye during training has delayed Fury’s much-hyped world heavyweight unification bout with Oleksandr Usyk.

Chatham heavyweight Itauma was set to fight on the same show, but a new date of May 18 has been agreed.

Itauma - who had sparred Fury in preparation for the original date - is on the undercard of the rescheduled show at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh.

He hopes for another busy year as he chases his dream of a world title in record time.

Itauma (7-0) only started his professional career at the end of last January and had seven fights in the calendar year, with five knockouts.

He needs to work his way through the challenges quickly if he is going to beat Mike Tyson’s record as the youngest-ever heavyweight champion, aged 20.

Whether 19-year-old Itauma is planning to fight between now and May remains to be seen.

His opponent in May’s “Ring of Fire” event will be Kazakhstan-born Ilja Mezencev.

Itauma’s German-based opponent heads into the scheduled fight off the back of a split-decision defeat in July, having claimed wins by knockout in each of his previous three.

Mezencev, 28, has lost three of his 28 professional bouts, with 20 KO wins.

The less-experienced Itauma has enjoyed a super transition to the professional ranks after sweeping all before him during his junior amateur days.

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