Sam Hickey aims to establish himself as the next prominent figure in Scottish boxing, aspiring to replicate the world championship success of Josh Taylor.
The unbeaten fighter from Dundee is set for his third professional bout this Saturday, taking on Harley Hodgetts as part of the undercard for Callum Simpson`s European title bout against Ivan Zucco.
Hickey is considered a strong prospect for the world stage, having built an impressive amateur record including a bronze medal at the European Championships and gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Barnsley`s Oakwell Stadium provides his next opportunity to make an impact.
“It`s a chance to perform well on a significant platform,” Hickey commented.
“We recently saw Nathaniel Collins and Lee McGregor compete; there are boxers like me emerging, and together we can achieve great things for Scottish boxing.
“I certainly believe I`ll be among the leading contenders. I`m confident I can succeed, and many others recognize this too.
“It`s about developing properly, making the right moves at the right time. With the strong team supporting me, I`m capable of reaching these goals.”
A compelling rivalry could develop with recent English professional debutant Lewis Richardson, who beat Hickey in the European Championships semi-finals, but was later defeated by the Scot (who went on to win gold) at the Commonwealth Games.
Hickey`s professional journey has begun promisingly, starting with a points victory over John Henry Mosquera last October and a first-round knockout of Lewis Howells in January. He gains valuable experience in each fight, supported by guidance from individuals like former Olympic gold medalist Galal Yafai.
“I was performing exceptionally well throughout that tournament; I demonstrated a range of abilities,” Hickey reflected. “I showed my power, my skills, my defense, my head movement. You learn lessons that might not apply as easily in the pros, but it`s about applying that knowledge as I progress.
“I`m anticipating the path ahead, and I need to make sure I enjoy it.
“It will become very challenging. Galal Yafai advised me to savor the experience; he mentioned you might hit opponents hard and they won`t budge sometimes, so I`m learning from experienced figures like him.
“For every fight, I prepare for the toughest scenario. You constantly challenge yourself; you endure significant effort in the gym, so there`s nothing preventing me from performing as well this weekend as I did in my previous bout.”
Training under Rob McCracken, Hickey delivered a decisive performance in his last outing, easily overcoming Howells within the first round.
“What pleased me in the last fight was my patience; even though I finished him in the first round, I was still deliberate with my shots, systematically breaking him down.
“I aim for a similar approach. I don`t want to just charge in wildly or look messy; I want my performance to be clinical and precise.
“The reception after the fight was fantastic; everyone back home was discussing it. The strong support who traveled showed that I`m not just someone selling tickets, but that I promise to potentially bring significant boxing events back to the area.”
The well-supported Hickey plans to bring approximately 150 fans from Scotland to Saturday`s event, with intentions to reward their loyalty in the future.
“I`m always prepared; I`ve been training consistently throughout the year,” he added. “I just want to fight frequently, stay active, and climb the rankings as quickly and intelligently as possible.
“My goal is to emulate the achievements of boxers like Josh (Taylor). Gaining experience and competing before large audiences is crucial.
“Hopefully, there will be a good number of spectators in the stadium when I fight on Saturday.
“Ideally, I`d like to start my professional career by fighting in Dundee and then move to Glasgow later; when the opportunity arises, it will be great.”
Catch Sam Hickey`s bout against Harley Hodgetts as part of the undercard for Callum Simpson`s European title contest against Ivan Zucco at Barnsley`s Oakwell Stadium this Saturday, starting at 7 pm.
Murray Blackwood