Cork boxer Tommy Hyde packed a punch this year in the USA and at home
Tommy Hyde in action against Salim Ben Rejeb during the Siam Warriors Superfights promotion at the Parochial Hall. Picture: Doug Minihane
IT’S been a whirlwind year for Cork professional boxer Tommy 'The Hurricane' Hyde.
At the end of 2023, he is still unbeaten with seven wins in the light-heavyweight division, all won in his maiden year.
In his first four fights, he beat all his opponents by knockout in America and in his last three bouts of the year, he won on points.
Hyde started his journey when he fought Jiri Korda from the Czech Republic and he stopped his opponent in the third round last December.
He was back in the ring a month later to fight another Czech fighter, Jiri Kroupa and again he stopped his opponent, this time in the fifth round.
He then had two more fights in the following two months Stateside where he stopped Robert Baltaru from Portugal in the third round and then stopped a Ukrainian fighter in the second round of his fourth fight in just four months.
“I had a very busy year to be honest, with seven fights, however, I was supposed to fight again last month but my opponent pulled out a few days before the bout,” Hyde said.
“Everything is going to plan at the moment, and I’m in great shape, both physically and mentally, however, my coach Pedro Neme and my manager Gary Hyde, my father, are planning away for next year.
“I’m mainly based in Los Angeles and when I’m home, I train every morning at the Fr Horgan’s Gym with Kenneth Crinnion and then work out in the Mardyke Gym with strength and conditioning coach Dave O’Connell, who also trains my fellow Cork professional fighters, Gary Spike O’Sullivan and Cathal Crowley.
“I fought my first four fights in the States where I stopped all my opponents inside the distance, however, it was a great learning curve for me as all those fighters were very tough.”
Hyde came home to Cork for his fifth fight against French man Salim Ben Rejeb at a packed-out Parochial Hall in a Siam Warrior’s event that was run by Martin Horgan.
This was without doubt the biggest test for Hyde, as he was now facing the pressure of fighting in front of his fans and Rejeb was a very tricky opponent who had just won the French light-heavyweight title.
The atmosphere was incredible as it brought back many memories of the great boxing events held in the Hall long ago, and it was a great chance for the Cork public to see professional boxing at the famous northside venue.
“My next fight was in June against a very good French boxer, Salim Ben Rejeb, at the Parochial Hall.
“He was very tricky and versatile on the night and I found it hard to pin him down, however, I did enough for the judges to give me the nod on a unanimous decision.
“I must say I was very nervous beforehand, but when my name was announced as winner I was extremely happy for all the people who came to watch me fight.
“I fought my next fight in August at the Memorial Stadium in Boston where I came up against Robert Talarek from Poland and again the fight went the distance and I won by unanimous decision.
“I was home in Cork again in October to box Mexican fighter Abraham Hernandez Mejia, who has a professional record of nine wins, five losses, and two draws, so Pedro was very cautious about this bout.
“However, the minute I stepped out on the stage of the Parochial Hall to see all the people dressed red and white I knew that I was going to be successful on the night.
“It was a grueling first round to be honest, as he was very slick, but my team did their homework and I got the verdict from the judges to win on points.
“It’s so special to fight in the Parochial Hall as it has so much history with sports, especially here on the northside of the city.
“My next fight is in San Francisco on St Patrick’s Night, however, my opponent hasn’t been announced yet, so I will be in training camp early in the New Year.
“I want to thank my parents Gary and Fiona, my girlfriend Ciara and all my supporters, especially from my bar Hannah Bawns for their continued support."
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