By TENAJH SWEETING

Tribune Sports Reporter

tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

IT was a new opponent but same result for pro boxer Carl Hield who lifted his hands in celebration for the fourth straight bout.

The Bahamian boxer defeated Colombia’s Jose Agustin Julio via knockout in the third round of the super welterweight division at the Coliseo de Pescaito David Ruiz Ureche in Colombia last week.

The latest victory helped Hield improve to 4-0-0 (win/loss/draw record) while Julio dropped to 24-20-1.

The former Sugar Bert Boxing Tournament champion was grateful to take down yet another opponent on his professional journey.

“I want to give God thanks for giving me the strength and knowledge. It feels good because it was a tough opponent and when I looked him up he had already fought for a world title. He lost his last two fights but took guys to unanimous decision losses and also to eight and 10 rounds. “I was able to take him out in three rounds and it proves that I am ready to fight for a world title in the next two to three fights,” Hield said.

The 5-foot-8 boxer had a shorter opponent in Julio but that did not change his strategy in his latest match.

In the third round leading up to the knockout, Hield landed a few quick jabs on his competitor as they moved around the ring.

The two exchanged some powerful blows until Hield’s left hand connected with Julio who went down for the count. According to Hield, with every win he earns, it provides him with a confidence boost to keep going after his ultimate goal. “Every fight is a stepping stone because with the coaches and promoters who are helping me out down here, every fight they take it up a notch to really see where I am at. I really showed that I am a step up and that I am ready to go in there with the big guys,” he said.

The former amateur boxer is now looking ahead to his fifth match scheduled for February 17 and the future opportunities to come his way.

“I am just gonna be training and getting ready for that to see what fighter they are gonna bring to the table so that I can bring up my rankings on Boxer Rec and be in a position to fight for a world title. My main focus is also to come home and get the national title because that would give me more rankings to show that I am one of the best in the country,” he said.

The win was dedicated to the late Norma Hield.

Also, a special thanks was offered to Rollin Tyre Imports (Trinidad and Tobago), Jet Wave, J-Tech Windows, SO Management, the Bahamas Boxing Federation and Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture.