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Irishman Thomas Hardwick in Golden Gloves final at Madison Sqaure Garden

By
APRIL DREW,
Irish Voice Reporter

Published Thursday, March 18, 2010, 11:12 AM
Updated Thursday, March 18, 2010, 11:33 AM

 

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Thomas Hardwick

It may not be everyone’s idea of an American Dream, but for a young Dublin man becoming a Golden Gloves boxing champion in New York is the path he is destined to take.

Thomas Hardwick, 25, didn’t set out to woo New Yorkers with his fast punches and sharp moves, but he took to the ring like a duck to water and in a short few months has made a name for himself in the amateur boxing ranks in New York City.

Hardwick, from Coolock, Co. Dublin, will fight in the final of the New York Daily News Golden Gloves heavyweight 201 novice division on Thursday, March 25 at Madison Square Garden. 

The Golden Gloves has been a stepping stone to professional boxing careers for many amateur boxers. Former National Golden Gloves champions include Muhammad Ali, Evander Holyfield, Mike Tyson, Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather Jr, just to name a few.

Hardwick is a multi-functional sportsman. When not throwing punches in the ring he can be found kicking a football around Gaelic Park with the New York Football team, playing a round of golf in Yonkers or getting roughed up in a game of hurling.

“I have always had a keen interest in sports like Gaelic football, hurling and of course boxing,” said Hardwick.

Putting sports on the backburner for a short period, the Dubliner decided to try something else.  As a keen traveler Hardwick wanted to explore life outside of Dublin. He spent nine months in Australia before moving to the U.S. a little under a year ago.

 “I really enjoyed Australia but with work tightening up there I decided to take the opportunity to come to America for the summer with my three friends,” he said.

Hardwick was offered a place on the New York team last year. He first discovered he was quick with his fists during his school days back in Dublin. 


“I was always very fascinated with boxing but I first got into it in school when I was young,” he said.

“Then I won the School Boys competition the first year I entered it, fighting in the National Stadium in Dublin. I stopped the other lad in the first round,” he said proudly.

Shelving the gloves for some time when he was older, Hardwick pursued other sports and although he enjoyed kicking a football or getting stuck in a game of hurling, it was the thrill of the one on one fight he longed for the most.

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