One-on-One with Craig Hillier
TheBoxingExaminer.com’s own Halifax correspondant Dave Ghiz recently had an opportunity to talk with Craig Hillier who is set to make his debut in the punch-for-pay ranks! Hillier is currently in Lowell, Mass. training along side his stablemate Tyson Cave with Micky Ward as they prepare for their fights on January 29th at Palooka’s Boxing Club in Halifax.
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The Boxing Examiner: I’m here with Craig Hillier from Palooka’s Boxing Club. Craig tell us a little bit about yourself, where your from, your experience, your amateur history and really anything you’d like to tell us about yourself.
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Craig Hillier: I was born here in Halifax. I’ve been boxing now for about 12 years on and off. I moved away for a year for school where I continued my training. I’m a teacher now but I’m also juggling a few other jobs right now but my newest venture is pro boxing.
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TBE: So you’ve had an extensive amateur career Craig and we’ve all followed your amateur days here in Halifax. You’ve boxed locally, provincially and even on the national level. What makes you now at this point in your life want to get into the pro ranks?
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CH: The challenge of doing it. I don’t want to have any regrets when I’m older. A lot of people say they could have done it but don’t. To actually get in the ring and do it when you’re still healthy and able has been a goal of mine. Now’s the right time in my career and age.
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TBE: So I hear your heading down to Lowell with Tyson Cave to train with Micky Ward and Dickie Eklund for two weeks to prepare for this. Tell us your thoughts on this.
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CH: Just the experience itself. I mean I’ve followed Micky Ward and Dickie Eklund’s career and the whole thing now with the movie being out there, just the chance to meet these two guys, to talk to them and to hear their experiences. To pick up anything they can pass on and to be down there for 10-12 days and train with those guys, I’m just gonna be like a sponge. I want to take as much away from this as I can.
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TBE: So do you have an opponent yet for Jan. 29th?
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CH: We’ve been bouncing around now with a few opponents. Really were just trying to find someone to seal the deal with a contract. The first guy to dot the I’s and cross the T’s is who we are gonna take. It’s been a little bit tougher than I anticipated but it’s a big show and now that everything else is finalized I’m sure we’ll get an opponent.
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TBE: Well Craig thanks for your time. It’s always great to watch you fight and all the best to you. Is there anything you would like to say in closing?
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CH: Well I’d like to thank everyone who has supported the amateurs in the past. It’s been a very positive experience for me and I appreciate all the support from everyone from here on out.
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Tags:Craig Hillier, Micky Ward, Palooka's Boxing Club, Tyson Cave
Filed Under: Interviews
