Fijian Wins World Kickboxing Title
Carlos Hicks has become the first Fijian to win a world title in kick boxing after a fourth round knockout win over title holder Sam Gough in Auckland, New Zealand on March 17.
Hicks, who donned the Fiji flag from the changing room to the ring and stood emotionally proud as the national anthem was played when he became the International Kick Boxing Federation’s new middleweight champion of the world.
A powerful kick to the right leg of Gough was enough as the Englishman fell and writhed in pain.
Speaking to SUNsports from New Zealand, Hicks said he was proud to be a Fijian even though New Zealand was now his home. They met last year where the fight ended in a draw and catapulted Hicks to train even harder as he knew that he could beat Gough. Hicks is the son of Aubrey Hicks and Sisilia Tokona and grew up in Waiyavi Stage Five in Lautoka where he attended St Thomas Primary School.
The 27-year-old left with his parents for New Zealand when he was six years of age but returned to Fiji shortly after and attended Stella Maris and then Gospel High School in Suva.
He took up kick boxing six years ago only because he could not find time off from work to attend rugby training in Auckland.
“I was all into rugby but my job was at odd hours and this prevented me from attending training. When I started training for kick boxing, it was hard but it was after my third fight when I won by technical knockout that my interest in the sport soared. “I realised then that was where I wanted to be. I had a lot of fights on the streets in Auckland but never dreamt that I would one day become a world champion.
“Actually it was not till after the fight when they put the world title belt on me that I realised what had happened.”
Hicks has had 39 professional fights since taking up the sport.
“My last fight with Gough, which we drew, was a brawl.”
For the return match, Hicks was prepared and came into the fight with a game plan.
He kept his jabs going by the six feet four inches Englishman did not realised that each time Hicks gently touched his legs with his, that was the spot he would be aiming for. “Gough suffered a hematoma on his leg and actually had difficulty getting into a vehicle after the fight.”
“This win means everything to me,” Hicks, who recently married his sweetheart Naomi in Fiji which was witnessed by their two children.
“I was so proud of my country of birth when the Fiji national anthem was played and it was also an emotional moment for me as I thought of all the family and friends back home who were eagerly waiting for the fight.”
Hicks spent most of his time training in China where he also carried out some coaching stints.
“In China I fought some top rank fighters and this gave me a lot of good experiences.” For the champion, he will take some time to rest and then begin training as challengers for are already lining up.