Scottish boxing is, believes one of its very brightest prospects, on the verge of something big.
Sam Hickey is amongst this country’s most-successful amateur fighters ever and as he prepares to throw his first punch in anger in the professional ranks, he’s predicting big things for the sport in this country.
With former world champion, Josh Taylor, most likely approaching the end of his career, there’s an opening for Scotland’s “next big thing” and while Hickey is too modest to say, it’s almost certain that the Dundonian is a prime contender for this mantle.
The 24-year-old middleweight is well-qualified to step into the pro ranks.
Hickey achieved significant amateur success, becoming Scotland’s first fighter in 16 years to win European senior silverware when he won bronze in 2022 before going on to win Commonwealth Games gold later that year, being crowned fighter of the tournament at those Games.
His decision to turn professional, which he announced earlier this summer, was expedited by the removal of his weight category from Paris 2024, which put paid to the childhood dream he’d harboured of becoming an Olympian.
And so, when he steps into the ring this evening, on the undercard of Adam Azim-Ohara Davies at London’s Copper Box Arena, Hickey has all the credentials to make a successful start to his professional career.
And having not fought for almost exactly twelve months, Hickey can’t wait to throw a punch in anger once again.
“Training has been going well – I’ve been in the gym all year so I was ready for any date that came up. I’m in good shape – my fitness is good and I just can’t wait to get boxing, to be honest,” he says.
“I’ve been in the process of turning pro for quite a while and I wanted to make sure I was on the best platforms and had the right people around me so sometimes it can take a wee while. I did the right thing taking my time and making sure I got everything right. But I’m glad I’m finally fighting.”
As an amateur, Hickey’s set-up included everything he could ever ask for in terms of support.
As a longstanding member of the Sheffield-based GB boxing squad, Hickey and his teammates were well looked-after but, as soon as he entered the pro ranks, he suddenly became the chief decision-maker and is responsible for every element of his career rather than merely what happens inside the ropes.
And that, the Dundonian admits, has taken a little getting used to.
“In going pro, there’s big decisions to make which is a lot different to the amateurs because as an amateur on international teams, all you have to worry about is if you’ve got your passport and your gum shield,” says Hickey, who remains based in Sheffield.
“I’m making all of the decisions now rather than having it all done for me so it’s different in that respect but I’ve made sure I’ve got the right people around me.
“I’ve definitely been learning on the job since I turned pro.”
This evening, Hickey will fight John Henry Mosquera, a Columbian with a 5-18 win-loss record, in what, the Scot hopes, will be the start of a particularly active spell for him.
Another outing before the year is out is the plan, with the Commonwealth Games champion also hopeful of regular fights throughout 2025 as he establishes himself in the professional ranks.
And while he’s reluctant to put too stringent a time-scale on his progress, Hickey is in no doubt as to the heights he wants to scale as a pro.
“I’ve not thought too deeply about where I want to be when in the pros because I’ve not even had my first fight yet but in 12 months or so, I’d love to be sitting here with a 6-0 record,” he says.
“Over the next couple of years, I want to be in some big fights and bring some big fight nights to Scotland - I want to win British, European and World titles but there’s so many routes to get to that point so I still need to learn about what’s the best way for me to get there.
“In the next few years, I think there could be a few of us coming through who can do well and this could be the start of something good in Scotland.
“I feel like I can move up the ranks pretty quickly so I’m excited to get going.”
