Rising middleweight contender Joseph Hicks Jr. continued a busy 2023 on Friday night as he stopped veteran Gilberto Pereira dos Santos in the fourth-round of their showdown at Motor City Casino in Detroit.
Promoted by Salita Promotions, Hicks (9-0, 6 KOs) earned his fifth-victory of the year in his debut performance with highly-regarded trainer Kay Koroma.
“I felt great in the ring,” said Hicks. “I tried to put my combinations together more than what you normally see from me. I’m improving with every fight and I look forward to staying busy and fighting the best in the division. I’m one step closer to become a world rated contender and then a world champion.”
The Grand Rapids, Michigan-native was a standout amateur before entering the pro ranks, and was set to captain the U.S. Olympic Team at the 2020 summer games before the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the proceedings. By the time the games were back on, the IOC’s formula for picking fighters in his weight class left him on the outside looking in. Undeterred, Hicks turned pro in 2022 and has shown that same promise from his amateur days in the pro ranks.
Hicks kicked off the year dominating the previously unbeaten Bilal Quintyne in February before stopping Noah Kidd in April. He would go on to score a unanimous decision over Antonio Todd on Claressa Shields’ undercard at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit in June and added a unanimous decision over Ramses Agaton in July before Friday’s bout.
“With his fifth fight of the year, Joseph is one of the busiest, if not the busiest, young fighter in the sport,” said Dmitriy Salita, President of Salita Promotions. “He’s dedicated to his craft and is getting better with each fight. He’s Michigan-made and soon enough he will have an opportunity to join the great champions from this legendary boxing state.”