FORMER World Boxing Council/Caribbean Boxing Federation (WBC/CABOFE) welterweight champion Simeon ‘Candyman’ Hardy who is currently residing in Oxnard, California, USA, is set to make his debut in that country on July 12 against an opponent that is yet to be named, over 12 rounds.

Speaking with Chronicle Sport via the social website www.facebook.com, the 25-year-old Hardy whose impressive professional record reads 10-0 with 7 of his victories coming by way of knockout, said he’s been undergoing daily training sessions in the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy.
“I have been sparring with two-time world champion Marco Maidana who has a fight coming up on June 9, Brandon Rios and others including Mexicans and Russians. Right now and my work ethics is great, while I’m getting prepared for a great night on July 12,” said Hardy.
Hardy was stripped of his WBC/CABOFE title, after that he won following a sensation 9th round TKO win over Trinidad and Tobago-based Guyanese Iwan Azore in January 2012, after he was pulled from the WBC Championships Cup by his new management team.
Subsequently, Jamaica’s Sakima Mullings fought and humiliated Guyana’s Howard Eastman when the GBBC hosted ‘Firestorm’ at the Princess Hotel last month for the said title, winning same by a unanimous decision.
Quizzed on his decision to move to the USA, Hardy said, “I moved because in Guyana there is no opportunity to go further than where I was when I left. I am here and I’m training and sparring with world champions and future world champions under the guidance of my coach Robert Garcia and his team who see a lot of potentials in me.
Guyana will always be my homeland, but I could only be honest and say there are no opportunities for youths with talents in all areas. I’m representing our flag to make a change to that aspect. I’m doing it to help youths whether it’s in boxing, music, athletics or any other entertaining talent.”
He added, “We have much talent home and no exposure to shine. But I’ll make a difference and the world will know about Guyana once again through sports and that there are talented youths left behind from a sportsman/boxer by the name of Simeon ‘Candyman’ Hardy.”
Not one to shy away from paying compliments and respect to those individuals who helped him along the way, Hardy took the opportunity to express special thanks to all who supported him during his time in Guyana, where he fought and entertained the public.
“While I was at home and undergoing some rigorous training, I got maximum support from my coach Seibert Blake who started and shared 14 years with me from scratch as an amateur to seeing my record read 10-0 as a pro.
He is still offering me support while I am here, for which I wish to say thanks. Thanks also to the GBBC for giving me the privilege to showcase my talent, starting with my first pro fight against Patrick Boston, to the last against Howard Eastman.
And to the youths who have dreams, I say keep working even when much disappointment comes, don’t sit and complain just up and put the work in, pray and God will find ways to make all possible for you.”