Todd Hickman - The Life & Murder of a Golden Gloves Champion
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- čas přidán 5. 07. 2022
- A look back at Todd Hickman, a National Golden Gloves champion out of Akron, Ohio. After failing to make the 1984 Olympics, Hickman's life descended into drugs & crime, ultimately leading to his murder.
- Sport
You're doing more for the sport of boxing in the digital age than anyone in history. The subject matter, insights and presentation of production bring a better understanding of the people that make BOXING a story. Thx man.
I concur.
My pleasure, thanks for the support.t
Very true
Agreed.
No doubt about it. This channel can turn a shit day good
20 seconds in and we've got another Rich The Fight Historian classic
Oldest story in the boxing book. Troubled inner city kid with a bad streak, high time preference/low impulse control, unlimited potential and lack of work ethic refuses to leave the life and focus on his boxing... Ends up in jail, killing someone or getting killed.
I see it everyday with the kids I coach. I know half or more are going to end up like Hickman no matter how much effort we put into them. Good video, depressed the hell out of me but well done
That can't be easy...
I've SEEN THIS STORY A HUNDRED TIMES.......ITS SAD BECAUSE SOMETIMES ITS THE BEST BOXER IN THE CITY.......
Thanks for your comment.
Meekness = Power...under control.
Humility is stronger than pride; And I only know one Way of cultivating that character trait properly:
By having a complete and total transformation spiritually. By quickening (making alive) someones spirit through prayer 🙏☝✝, and STUDYING God's Holy Word daily. ✝ 🔨📖🗡.
This is the path to rebirth, and it requires discipline/discipleship.
As our bodies can not live on bread 🍞 alone, our spirit can not live except by EVERY WORD that proceeds out of the mouth of God. ✝🕊⚓✝🛐 This is a helpful 🔑.
With man it is impossible; but with God, all things are possible.
It sounds like you are a good boxing coach, and I hope you have great success with your students and your learned boxers.
Boxing is the human condition played out! Hickman is 3/4 of the entire planet's human condition. That's why when someone mocks boxing as barbaric, they are clueless of the human struggle being played out in everyone's life around them.
Well said.
You make incredible videos about fighters I've never heard, some really sad story's but ones that need to be told! Keep up the fantastic work ☘️
Thanks, will do!
Anyone know who the Irish amateur is in second fight clip. 🍀??
Todd had so much talent. Such a shame he didn't live out his potential 😔
Question do u know todd that was my buddy
@@magicman124 he may not know todd. Especially personally... so. I would like to know more about him.. I'm 42 years old now.. I was a kid when he boxed.. what was your personally knowings of him.. if you do not mind telling about the personal things you do know.. if not then it's ok..
@@thedebatefinisher..5521 we use to hang out but i never knew he was on the drugs and all thst stuff is have true anothet guy. I went to school with shot him. Over drugs and he knew he couldn't get with todd so he shot him ran to Florida wasnt. Caught for a few yrs then he was. Caught. And went crazy in prison but is out. And bill was a great guy i bought a dog kennel before he passed and he said todd son would be like him and he did i think hes locked up but. Some say better then his dad and i also know the sons mom
I haven’t had a chance to watch this but read through the comments. I want to add that my grandfather was an amazing man and so was my father who died at a very young age. Hopefully those judging him will keep that in mind. Dad and grandpa you are loved and missed so very much! And almost 33 years later your legacy lives on!
Respect too you and your family , and they both were talented fighters ,. And though I've never heard of him I'm having that I have now . As so many die young and we never hear there stories. And he had a great one! R.i.p. Mr Hickman
Thank you!
People see reality, it’s ok.
Pay no heed to the opinionated. Empty vessels make the most noise. Your dad was a real talent.
@@That-guy916 Well we've all bothered to watch the video about them so we're at least fairly interested.
I was in the audience when Hickman fought the Irishman. He made quite a splash that evening at the Concord Pavillion . I remember at the meet and greet autograph session afterwards Todd Hickman was carrying the most massive boom box I had ever seen . That thing was literally bigger than him...
Also shook hands with the great middleweight champ Tony Zale who was in attendance that night as well .
@@robash5474 .... Tony Zale was introduced at the CYO chicago tourney i fought in 1984. Not knowing of him i told my dad Zale was at the fights, he knew of him. Zale sure loved boxing
Never heard of Todd Hickman,but it looks like he had all the tools to be an elite boxer. Great video.
What's the name of the music in the background at 25 sec
Dang just think of the marketing and promotion opportunities this dude could have had with his looks and his sportsmanship he could have made millions
Your comment brought a smile to my face and tears to my eyes, he had a million dollar smile!
Growing up on the West side of Akron, I heard his name a lot during my teen and high school years and I can tell he was loved by so many in our City. His name was ALWAYS held in such high regard. I remember walking around the West side of Akron as a teen and walking past his family's home and saying, "That's where Todd Hickman lives" and my friends and I would look to see if he was outside to get a glimpse of him and I think we lucked up once or twice. It was always a treat to be able to walk in his parent's store "Open Pantry" for Chicken Wings and JoJos and an orange ChillyWilly. The memories of the 80s in my hometown always makes me smile and boy was Akron an amazing city, especially the West side, the Best side.
Continue to R.I.Perfect Peace, Power and Paradise Todd Hickman.
Really enjoyed reading your comment, brings me back to my childhood days
The 80's the Golden years : man I had some real good times
I knew this family!! They belonged to our church!! He really was an awesome young man.😢
Wow I remember all that! You forgot the Dairy Queen on Copley, the African Festival
This story broke my heart damn sometime us human beings can't get out of the way from our own selves rest in peace to Mr Todd Hickman
Rest in heaven bruh I knew him we are Bru,I was incarcerated in this osr,we used to work out,hit the bag an he couch me giving me pointer,I perfected this ezzard Charles style mixed with Ray Robinson,a flipping punches with angles, anyway he was who introduced and keep my interest,I talk among many about his greatness, so the good will know him forever
What a coincidence that you have mentioned Ezzar Charles as it's his birthday today
💖🙏🏾✝️
I was talking to Jessie Benivides at the USA vs Cuba in 1985, when he came around. Jessie was working sparring with him. They were friends
Bill Hickman should had left him go out of Akron, as one mobster said one does not change for the better hanging out in the same places with the same people, not that that would had mattered anyway if Todd himself did not want to change, they could had sent him to the Yukon or Siberia and still find trouble there. It is a very sad story and I feel some heartache for his parents and the young family he left behind.
Sad story, well told. I was not familiar with him at all. Thanks for all your consistently good work. It was good to see a shot of Charlie Brown, the fighter all the ring card girls loved.
Thanks, whitehurstcomic. Yeah, I forgot Brown was a matinee idol
Father met him and help him out with boxing, I went to his home once with father. He was a nice person as a young man. It's sad what happen to this young man.
Never heard of Todd before. Man, he looked good as an amateur. That doesn't always translate to the professional ranks though. The step up in commitment and staying away from the dark side of things can be difficult for a young man still growing up. It's a real shame.
Thanks for doing this, I'm from Akron, the 2 biggest names around here at that time were Michael Dokes and Todd Hickman, 2 very tragic stories, but they were both legends around here....
Todd is my uncle I’m hoping to start boxing agin to feel his shoes his brother butch is my father
@@jayy1991 go for it young man. U can do do it! It's in your blood!
Kudos to the guy that took him out, what a total POS.
@Jayy. I am from Akron, OH too. Grew up off Wooster Avenue by Stewart Elementary and Hawkins Plaza. Akron was a beautiful city back then and the Westside was the best side and your family had one of the most memorable stores and when you heard their name, it was always in high regards with the utmost respect. I sure do miss the old "Open Pantry" when Mr. Hickman owned it, "Open Pantry", what I wouid give just to be able to walk in there and get some wings, jojos and a ChillyWilly and a Banana Flip, just one more time. I sure do miss the 70s and 80s, growing up in Akron, OH, on the Westside. I love my hometown, always will and it will always be home, no matter where I live.
@@jayy1991 Do you have Hickman family from Wisconsin or Chicago?
Thanks Rich for another great documentary. I never knew about Todd Hickman. It was a fascinating story. This kid was such a beautiful talented boxer. So sad it ended the way it did for him.
Thanks for watching, Logical Network.
Thank you, Rich, for this CZcams video. It is one of the most accurate clips regarding Todd's life in over 32 years, the good and the bad. There has always been so much more to the Todd Hickman story, some of which you touched on. I am Paula, always an advocate for my brother and the truth.
My pleasure, Paula. All the best to you and your family.
Just incredible. I remember reading in SRL's autobiography that he could have fallen into drugs, himself. But for swings and roundabouts, Hickman might have been SRL and Leonard dead at 23.
I grew up in Akron around that time I remember him. I met him I remember where he lived.
was it on dover ave in west akron ?
When a channel releases a vid and it gets 250 likes in six hours, it’s doing something right. The best boxing channel on CZcams by a long way. And growing in popularity. Hickman had so much potential, sad he went off the rails. One of many, sadly. Thanks Rich.
Sure thing, Toracube. Hickman was special.
more watch a video only that many don't bother with the likes.
It was refreshing to see a vibrant and humble, young spirit during his interviews. You captured his identity, Rich. I feel the lost, too.
SAD THAT THIS HAPPENED HE COULD HAVE BEEN ONE OF THE GREATS
He is just we will never know
That's why it happened
It’s crazy how the streets claim so many talented ones. Lord bless his family & soul.
Thank you!
Had daddy backed away and allowed Emanuel Stewart to manage and train Hickman things might have been very different.
Facts shouldve let him leave
Absolutely
Totally agree. That was Manny's bread and butter - taking inner city youths w chips on their shoulders and molding them into champs. What a shame.
Agreed
damn yall cold it's not that simple 😕
I remember him very well he could box and he could fight good looking young brother he could have been a superstar! God bless him and Rick beautiful work again please keep it up and God bless!!
Sorry about that Rich keep up your beautiful work and thanks!
Will do, thanks Melvin
Another sad tale, you really know your fighters from the past that most will never have heard of. Such a sad end to a brilliant talent.
I love this channel, so we’ll narrated and researched. Excellent as always.
What a waste of a young talented kid it was.. So sad.. Look at his interviews during the reportage, he was beautiful and well spoken.
It gives ya a sad feeling when you learn about a guy that got nowhere but could have been, and should have been, where a guy like Ray Leonard is today.
Would have could have should have
@@roycurtis9788 Yeah. Life is full of pitfalls.
He was boxing in the same time MIKE TYSON was boxing as an Amatuer
Since I could remember all my family ever spoke about in my household was one thing boxing .
Grew up with a knowledge of the history of the sport and many times you introduced me to a fighter I never knew or I may have forgotten about . Always looking forward to your next video stay healthy, keep up the great work . Shout out to many good comments on this video 🥊
Rest in Peace my brother Todd Hickman. Great history being tought here.
Wow! He was 10 years older than me. I was 13 in 1989. Excellent video once again Rich!
Thanks, Brian.
Thanks for another great video Rich
Sure thing, John
That’s my uncle his brother is my father he died later on after Todd
Condolences 💐
This kid was seriously talented! shame things went how they did! Casuals who think they know boxing dont know jack 💩 if they haven't heard of Todd. I regularly speak to a guy who was his sparring partner and had jump rope competitions with him.
great work mate 👊
I thought i knew about boxing but apparently i dont because i never heard of this guy.🤷🏾♂️ Talented boxer whose life was cut short.
Thank you, O S S
@@elwin38 Quite clearly you dont know your boxing then do you? Todd Hickman and youve never heard of him? Stick to watching men's ice skating instead mate 👍
Again rich, just when I thought I knew to much about a sport and should think of something else you have told me a story I never heard. Beautiful work. Thank u
My pleasure, Joe, thanks
His pop mess him up ….could have allow that dude to relocate
GREAT video, Rich.
I have a friend, an old mentor from Chillicothe Ohio. He is a well known Radio Host, and has been Mentoring men in a Christian ✝ rehabilitation house in Chillicothe Ohio called, Another Chance Ministries. His name is Mike Smith, and he's commentated hundreds, if not thousands of High School sports competition ranging from baseball and football, Basketball and Volleyball. His wife Laura is in the Ohio State Highscool Coaches Hall of Fame for having the MOST wins for Volleyball in the State.
Great folks.
I'm sending Mike this video, hoping that it will help the men at Another Chance Ministries walk in Christ, and Fight the good fight of FAITH.
R.I.P. Todd Hickman. ✝🙏
Can u send me a link to this radio show?
@@logicalnetwork1611 you know, I wish that I could. I live in New York. Mike used to work for Clear Channels Communications and was on WKKJ FM, plus one other FM channel and two AM channels daily. He'd be on i heart radio brodcasting basketball games and I'd listen to him from New York with my children and he'd give us a shout out.
I am pretty sure that he works for Litter media now online. If that's any help.
I'm curious about why you ask?
Here in london we dont get such radio shows so i wanted to listen to his show.
@@logicalnetwork1611
I imagine that you can get "i heart radio," online.
The new company that he works for, "Litter Media," is an online radio program. He is at the company from
9AM - 12 PM each day. With his VOICE, I imagine that he his heard around the world! 😀
Thanks, Christopher
Thanks for the video. I live in Akron and I remember him well. He was once the #1 amateur flyweight in the world, ranked even ahead of the Cubans. My brother and I saw Dokes lose his heavyweight championship at the Richfield Coliseum. We still have LeBron James.
As a Chicago native I can say lebron has done way more for the culture than Jordan ever
Lebron didn't have to sale expensive overpriced shoes to win popularity Jordan is a great but lebron has done well for himself
Such a sad story, this young man could have possibly gone on to win a World Title and become a name in Boxing. Sounds like his heart may have not been all in Boxing but his Dad kept pushing him back in. He just simply made bad choices and it cost him his life.
i cant even see the punch that dropped Hickman , so fast !
I remember just a little about him. Great video as always and a lesson to be learned. Salute
You're a workhorse, Rich! 😮 A true working class hero!
Haha, I try Risbo, thanks
Excellent work as usual. As someone who regards themselves as a hardcore boxing fan, being able to take in these stories of fighters I have never heard of is a real gift. Hickman had incredible talent. That is obvious watching these clips.
Thanks, James.
Great insightful profile of Young Hickman. I hope there are young men that watch your channel, I'm sure it would make a great difference whether they boxed or not.
I often share his story in the hope it helps someone, that’s what he would have wanted.
I remember him when I was growing up here in Akron ohio..I'll never forget him because he always showed us as younger kids in the projects different boxing styles continue to rest in heaven 🏆 champ....
Thank you for this gem. Can you do one of Al Bummy Davis? He too was an up and coming boxer with a checkered life and was murdered. He once crossed paths with mafia henchman Abe “kid twist” Reles and struggled to stay straight. He beat Tony Canzoneri when he was like 21 and had a very interesting life.
He's on the list.
Bummy was some kind of character. One of the terrific Jewish fighters of the late 1930’s and 40’s.
@@RichtheFightHistorian Awesome! This has become my favorite channel. Thank you for what you do!
As always Rich, another great video. I moved to Cleveland, OH back in 2004 and being a boxing fan I attend a lot of Lake Erie Amateur Boxing shows. I enjoyed learning about Todd and wished he would have had better luck in his boxing career and in his life as well. Thank you for the video and keep up the good work. I am currently training and hope to compete in the Masters division.
Thanks, vikingman. Good luck on the training.
@@RichtheFightHistorian thank you Sir, I appreciate it!
He was huge for 119lbs. He looked like a champion in waiting...horrible end to his life....
Weight loss and weight control is still a conflicting issue when a kid is playing other sports.
Great job Rich this is a fantastic hidden gem...glad you brought it back to life
Thanks, Charter
Consistent excellence by Rich The Fight Historian. Rich should be hired by one of the TV networks to flesh out interesting tales behind Today's boxers.
Totally agree with you. Rich should also write books.
Much appreciated, Bruce, thanks
My homeboy went to school with him & lock up with him to R.I.P Todd Hickman
I’ve been looking for a channel like this 🥊🔥💯
Great upload!
The whole reason he probably started using coke in the first place was to try to maintain that weight class. Imagine being a teenage boy who has to stay that thin at 5' 10". It must have been torture.
Coke was considered a party drug in the 80’s. Most folks didn’t take it as serious as they should’ve.
Another really interesting story of a boxer I'd never heard of before.... But I have now. Thanks Rich.
My pleasure, Andrew
Good video! Never knew of him until now. Sad story
Rich you are something out of a history book that no other has ever seen or heard you are a true enhancement to the sport of boxing may God bless you and your talent I can watch your work all day thanks 🏆 champ💯🥊💯
Thanks so much, petie rican
@@RichtheFightHistorian great work rich your very welcome
Another great video Rich! Your boxing knowledge is on another level, much respect to you! Can I put a name out there- Emanuel Augustus, exciting to watch, but couldn't tell you anything else about him?
Yeah, he was awful. A few "Drunken Master" vids get made and everyone talks about a guy who lost half his fights and never managed to string more the 4 wins together like he was a mix of Willie Pep and Gene Tunney.
Thanks, B Bake. It'll be awhile before I get to Augustus as he's a bit too modern for what I'm doing with the channel
@@thegadflygang5381 - I wouldn't say he was awful. He was legitimately robbed flat out in a ton of fights, including one on ESPN2 against Courtney Burton that was so sickening I thought Teddy Atlas was going to attack the referee. His fight with Mickey Ward (which he admittedly lost) was the best slugfest of 2001. But it is true that his current reputation is way more inflated than necessary.
As a young amateur he looked even better than Ray Leonard. Wow. Getting through the first quarter of a young mans life is often the most rewarding and significantly most dangerous part of life. Men worry about dying as they get older my experience is that I’ve lost more of my male friends in the first 1/4 of my life.
Males are most likely to kill or be killed in the first quarter of life. It's biological.
Great to observe your work!
Thanks, Todd
See now I wish I would have never pressed play, all man that is so sad. But I’m glad I got to see a talented young man. Man I use to do a little boxing in the 80’s-90’s, not professionally but I was really in it, I wish I could have met him. But I would have been a little kid, well duh! Shaun.
Thanks for sharing good but sad story
Thanks Rich. I did not know about this kid. He looked truly gifted. Sad story.
I grew up in East Akron. Todd Hickman is a legend.
Thanks for telling Todd Hickman story what a great talent he could have perseverance been one of the greats
New sub! Not even a minute in and I'm thoroughly impressed.
Thanks and welcome to the channel.
Super video pal
Thanks 👍
It's always somebody badder than you.
In this case more coward than you
Rich another Great Masterpiece
Love your work along with the sound track..It's like telling My story Sorta speak..from Saad Muhammad to Hickman I feel butterflies in my stomach like before a fight...
Thanks for the support, slick black butterfly
Another great short documentary.
Thanks for listening
Love these documentaries. Any chance you could make one about Howard Davis?
He's on the to do list, yes.
Well documented,and we'll covered story..!
As a fighter,I hadn't heard of this kid, but it's obvious.He had it,he had the look,he was long and he could fight, he was gonna be up there.Hearns, Suger Ray level..
I heard mike Tyson talking about how good Todd was shame
Mike was and is very dear to the Hickman family.
@@paulaross4771 yes he is there very dear to mike
Thank you for this upload Rich.
Once again.
Second to 'no one'
Brilliant channel.
I appreciate your support, Nicholas, thank you.
Young man’s boxing IQ was up there for his age
Incredible boxer! He would’ve been undisputed!
I used to box at a gym and he used to come in there with his dad . I remember he had a big boom box .
Another brilliant story rich..well done sir.
Thanks, Noel.
I got to meet him at Lenny Shaws gym in Paterson Nj a very nice guy what a shame he could have been one of the greats of his generation .
Damn what a tragedy, this guy definitely would have been a world 🌎 champion 🏆 another great video Buddy I enjoyed it.
Thanks, Donnell.
Never heard of him until now. Great work 👏
STILL pisses me off at times that i didn’t get support from my parents in boxing!!!! Not starting until age 23, YES, 23, i was doing well!!!!
Long story short, seeing hot politics was in boxing (worse than D.C. politics), not affording even six months to sideline me, i quit when i was 29!!!!
I remember him,Used to watch him on team USA,I was boxing trying to Make the golden gloves and the US Nationals to be on team USA 🇺🇸 also, but did not qualify, I still kept up with them and boxing 🥊
Yes!! Thank you Mr. Rich, he was the pride of Akron before Lebron.
Great video coverage Rich 🥊🥊💯 all he'd to do was be patient and stay focused the sky was the limit!... smh
Agreed, he was one of the more unknown 'what ifs' of the 80s
@@RichtheFightHistorian keep them coming iam always looking forward to your videos thanks
A natural virtuoso,never heard of him before,it's ashame he wasted his talent,lack of direction,but when someone is not willing to do the work,no matter what you do you can't do it for them! The way he adjusted to the sothpaw,awzome.he could been one of the greats!
There was so much more to his story, possibly too much direction and work for a someone at an incredibly young age.
And Ali said he was pretty??!
Nice footage this rich nice 1 👍
Not familiar with him did sound a bit tangled up in the streets, r.i.p young en 🕊️
Heart wrenching Story Rich
My pleasure, Gene.
Mr. Hickman owned the most prominent store on Copely...OP, better known as Open pantry...best JO JO'S n da world 💯💯💯
Todd Hickman? I never heard of him. Thanks for the upload
I knew him he was one of my best friends..Miss him, he would have made a great boxer
I'm starting to see some of your documentaries on Tubi. I try to at least click on the video and like it because I've seen them all on here.
I appreciate that, thanks.
Another talented young black kid who pissed away this opportunity. Most blame goes to him and the rest to the dogs that surrounded him. Culture of violence.
What a shame he had something special , he would of been a great champion RIP
I love the kids style real fluid and sharp
What a sad story, rest in peace Todd.
My condolences to Todd's family my son a golden glove boxer pro desires dancer actor preacher unjustifiably shot in the heart and murdered by cop a sheriff of SD CA May 2012 my heart still cry's daily RIP Todd and Elwood