By BRENT STUBBS

Chief Sports Editor

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

THE long and illustrious amateur career for Carl Hield is finally paying off big dividends as a professional boxer.

Since turning pro in 2023 with a knockout victory over Elkin Bolano on October 21 at the Gimnasio Saga Boxing in Cartagena, Colombia in the super welterweight division, Hield has pushed his unblemished win-loss record to 7-0.

He will now put that record on the line on Friday when he defends his World Boxing Association Fedecaribe title in Cartagena against Alfonso Blanco of Venezuela who, at 38, comes into the fight with an 18-3 win-loss record, including a loss to Milan Prat in his last fight on December 2 in Marseille, France.

Hield, 38, won on June 21 over Christian Bautista of Colombia in Cartagena.He’s been working out with fellow Bahamian pro Rashield Williams, who has been sparring with him at their training camp in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. “I’m just going to go out there and defend my training and go on from there,” Hield said.

Against Blanco, Hield said he will proceed just as he’s done in his past seven fights. “I will just go in there and perform the things that I’ve been doing in my training camp,” Hield said. “He’s a tough opponent, but mentally and physically, I’m ready to perform.

“I can’t wait for the referee to raise my hands and say I am still the champion.”

In defending his title, Hield said it’s a good opportunity, although he wanted to fight at home in The Bahamas, but things didn’t work out.

“So I’m just trying to get over this fight,” said Hield, who is once again dedicating his fight to his deceased mother, Norma Hield, whom he described as his number one supporter from his amateur days.

“I got a call from Champion Spirit Club in The Bahamas, who have told me that they are hoping to put on a show in December and they want me to be on the card. “That will give me a chance to fight a pro card on home soil,” said Hield, who as an amateur, rarely got the chance to fight at home because there were no opponents to match up against him.

Since he switched from the amateur to the pro ranks, Hield said he’s made tremendous strides.

“I’m managing my own career until I get signed by a management team or a promoter,” he said. “I’m moving in the right direction and I’m focussed.

“Next year is the World Championships and I will still have a chance to represent the Bahamas because amateurs can now fight against the professionals. So everything is just coming out at the right time for me.

“Everything is in God’s plans, so I want to thank him for guiding me ndf keeping me on the right track.”

With a solid amateur background, Hield said he knew it would be an easy transition to the pro ranks.

“It’s just a slower pace as a pro compared to the amateurs,” he said. “You just don’t have to go out there and throw 20 and 30 punches like the amateurs because it’s only three.

“As a pro, you are fighting eight, ten and twelve rounds, so you have to be able to pace yourself. My style was a pro style, so it was just adapting. It wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be.”

With the inspiration he’s been getting from Williams as his sparring partner, Hield said it’s normal for both of them to train together as they stay ready for the next fight lined up.

To the Bahamian people, Hield thanked everyone who has been supporting him from the time he began his pro career. He mentioned Roland Tires and Park from Trinidad & Tobago, Ronn Rodgers from Strikers Boxing Club, the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture and the Bahamas Amateur Boxing Federation.