Todd Hickman - The Life & Murder of a Golden Gloves Champion

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.

[@LowEndMarauder]

20 seconds in and we've got another Rich The Fight Historian classic

[@thegadflygang5381]

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

[@Viva_la_natura]

That can't be easy...

[@704JOE]

I've SEEN THIS STORY A HUNDRED TIMES.......ITS SAD BECAUSE SOMETIMES ITS THE BEST BOXER IN THE CITY.......

[@christopherbellore3511]

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.

[@drummersagainstitk]

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.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Well said.

[@grudeman]

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 ☘️

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thanks, will do!

[@Martymac1973]

Anyone know who the Irish amateur is in second fight clip. 🍀??

[@sharmbavarner5811]

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!

[@presleywilliams33]

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

[@sharmbavarner5811]

Thank you!

[@JohnSmith-kr9do]

People see reality, it’s ok.

[@TheNelster72]

Pay no heed to the opinionated. Empty vessels make the most noise. Your dad was a real talent.

[@TheNelster72]

@@That-guy916 Well we've all bothered to watch the video about them so we're at least fairly interested.

[@cynthiagarrett6060]

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.

[@ax4326]

Really enjoyed reading your comment, brings me back to my childhood days

[@garymayfield5995]

The 80's the Golden years : man I had some real good times

[@tawanahawkins7855]

I knew this family!! They belonged to our church!! He really was an awesome young man.😢

[@samuelgreer5223]

Wow I remember all that! You forgot the Dairy Queen on Copley, the African Festival

[@g.sergiusfidenas6650]

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.

[@drummersagainstitk]

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.

[@wotizit2937]

I concur.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

My pleasure, thanks for the support.t

[@BrandonReyes-vi4rm]

Very true

[@play2winboxingchannel92]

Agreed.

[@Joe-ry2xq]

No doubt about it. This channel can turn a shit day good

[@dazuk1969]

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.

[@jedclampett6466]

Had daddy backed away and allowed Emanuel Stewart to manage and train Hickman things might have been very different.

[@dree35]

Facts shouldve let him leave

[@tenzel1231]

Absolutely

[@marcoslaureano5562]

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.

[@Stathletics2011]

Agreed

[@GreenNotes007]

damn yall cold it's not that simple 😕

[@logicalnetwork1611]

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.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thanks for watching, Logical Network.

[@2butnot277]

It was refreshing to see a vibrant and humble, young spirit during his interviews. You captured his identity, Rich. I feel the lost, too.

[@johnkeane1419]

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.

[@4poundkeepingitreal891]

It’s crazy how the streets claim so many talented ones. Lord bless his family & soul.

[@paulaross4771]

Thank you!

[@anythinggoesvideospart-2242]

He was boxing in the same time MIKE TYSON was boxing as an Amatuer

[@elliottburgess9562]

Rest in Peace my brother Todd Hickman. Great history being tought here.

[@brianjanson3498]

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.

[@illkid86]

As a Chicago native I can say lebron has done way more for the culture than Jordan ever

[@illkid86]

Lebron didn't have to sale expensive overpriced shoes to win popularity Jordan is a great but lebron has done well for himself

[@risboturbide9396]

You're a workhorse, Rich! 😮 A true working class hero!

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Haha, I try Risbo, thanks

[@banacek8675]

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.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

He's on the list.

[@Thelategreatjohnnybratton]

Bummy was some kind of character. One of the terrific Jewish fighters of the late 1930’s and 40’s.

[@banacek8675]

@@RichtheFightHistorian Awesome! This has become my favorite channel. Thank you for what you do!

[@garnettprice5333]

My homeboy went to school with him & lock up with him to R.I.P Todd Hickman

[@brucegasboxingjazzandmore864]

I remember just a little about him. Great video as always and a lesson to be learned. Salute

[@donnieruiz2340]

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....

[@charternicholson9495]

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

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thanks, Charter

[@peterparsons7141]

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.

[@johnkeane1419]

Males are most likely to kill or be killed in the first quarter of life. It's biological.

[@char-lee212]

Yes!! Thank you Mr. Rich, he was the pride of Akron before Lebron.

[@elwoodwhite9734]

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

[@Thelategreatjohnnybratton]

Thanks Rich. I did not know about this kid. He looked truly gifted. Sad story.

[@scootymcfluffybutt3765]

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.

[@CodyCole80]

Coke was considered a party drug in the 80’s. Most folks didn’t take it as serious as they should’ve.

[@ttenkrut]

Great upload!

[@DavidemetriLIC]

Incredible boxer! He would’ve been undisputed!

[@oohweeoohwee9222]

It's always somebody badder than you.

[@truth294]

In this case more coward than you

[@paulhaig2467]

Heart wrenching Story Rich

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

My pleasure, Gene.

[@salfordguy399]

And Ali said he was pretty??!

[@bryonwatkins1432]

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!!!!

[@jerryblair6995]

Thanks for telling Todd Hickman story what a great talent he could have perseverance been one of the greats

[@jonasjohnson661]

Mr. Hickman owned the most prominent store on Copely...OP, better known as Open pantry...best JO JO'S n da world 💯💯💯

[@silk3778]

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...

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thanks for the support, slick black butterfly

[@TheJoaniejoancansew]

Todd Hickman? I never heard of him. Thanks for the upload

[@jamiegroves5155]

I heard mike Tyson talking about how good Todd was shame

[@paulaross4771]

Mike was and is very dear to the Hickman family.

[@jamiegroves5155]

@@paulaross4771 yes he is there very dear to mike

[@Number1DriversSeat]

Another great short documentary.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thanks for listening

[@sweetscientist8441]

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.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

I appreciate that, thanks.

[@roadrunner381]

Wow this kid could really move !

[@klassickingz9094]

Kid had a nice glow very similar to sugar ray leonard, he just couldn't see the big picture.

[@smedleybutler8787]

I grew 7 " the summer going into my junior year with long muscles all those people that bully me were in trouble.

[@RN_BSN_PHN]

*Mental instability with deadly hands is the Devil's workshop. I had 46 amateur fights and trained with best orlf em' in the 80's-90's. When you retire from boxing. It must be to a higher level. The best choices are either spiritual or a career with purpose. Not a lower level to poverty drugs or crime.. Many of those Fighters I knew are now gone..*

[@foxybrown4017]

Thanks for sharing good but sad story

[@fletchermack88]

A great fighter.. 1982 Jr Olympics Champion

[@brendanduffy2710]

This kid could box ,rest in peace.

[@Jerry-rd9my]

QUESTION, PLEASE: Who was the white kid at the beginning of the video ducking and diving like Frazier - he was wearing no head gear. Does anyone know his name? He moved like he would have been a real contender - I would like to see what happened to him. Thanks! Edit: it's Paul Fitzgerald. I kept watching and he came up 60% of the way through.

[@filafresh22dunn24]

GREAT STORY😎😎💪💪✊✊👊👊👍👍👌👌BOXERS HAVE THE MOST TRAGIC STORYS OF ALL SPORTS.MAKES U UNDERSTAND THE WEIGHT THESE GUYS CARRY INTO THE RING😯😮😟😧😬😶😐

[@ShowseeTravels]

How tragic. So many athletes go this way.

[@MrLenroc82]

He looks like the main character from Penitentiary 3

[@curiouslymavismade]

RIP Todd Hickman. Still to this day, say no to drugs and gangs, they all lead to the grave and jail.

[@terrencenojokebozeman7920]

That’s what Akron do to you. It’ll wrap you up in a spider web where you can’t get out…

[@helenchaney4911]

My father was Boxer Peter Rademacher I his daughter. Love boxing like father did.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Sure I know of your father. Welcome to the channel.

[@paulaross4771]

I remember your father!

[@wysefavor]

sad..raising kids requires a lot of wisdom, prayers and work..In the Heart of every young man and young woman lies desire to just have fun and not put in the work required for greatness....

[@pooddescrewch8718]

So many nexts , also rans , and could have beens long forgotten .

[@cubjr1936]

Sad, He Was Incredibly Talented. Maybe a change of scenery would have helped him get focused. He was a Natural it would seem. 🙏

[@timmieboibeatz]

I know derrick robinson ...he trained outta north county in st.louis with jim howell

[@mrsmith9262]

Kid actually looked like he was on the same level with ray leonard, if not he was more better technical with his skills, dam sad story of talented young fighter 😢

[@paulaross4771]

Some articles had him being the next Sugar Ray

[@mrsmith9262]

@@paulaross4771 hanging around the wrong crowd got him killed, the relationship he had with his dad just makes it more heart breaking

[@outthetrunkfilms]

Sad beyond words.

[@emmmceee669]

Wow 👏🏼

[@carlosyoung1630]

Damn dude had hands! Never heard of him til now

[@albrown1812]

Yeah he had it,just watching and seeing more and more in the kid, tragic story!

[@kingty3192]

They need to make a movie about him.. I fought in the ameteurs and I come from a fighting family and I’ve heard so much about these guy and how sharp he was! Because from the stories I heard he might be one of the top ameteur boxers in history

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Yeah, he could have been a multi-division champion.

[@357-swagnumultramagax9]

Lets go champ !!!

[@eugenestewart4251]

No matter what you try and do your true character or identity will always come out

[@willstaywinning]

Fitzgerald was really hanging in there. I hate Hickman didn’t get to realize his true potential. His dad really held him back

[@INKEDKYNG]

his father built him up and pushed him into boxing only to block every pathway that his son tried to take.

[@MusicandDancing4Ever]

What happened to his child?

[@rgaines34]

My friend, we went to school together, a good guy 🥊🥊🥊

[@lloydcrooks712]

Rich your a legend already

[@johnnywilliams4977]

Thank you letting us know about these Great people we would never have know there talents if not for you.agsin thanks

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

My pleasure, Johnny

[@cutterman8752]

Do one on Cedric Rose from Dallas Texas he was a great fighter!

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

I'll have to get back to you on that. I couldn't find enough info on him aside from the KZbin videos.

[@michaelgreen1365]

Please everyone listen up don’t get hooked up with the wrong crowd what’s wrong with people stay to yourself , Just remember you are known by the company you keep make damn sure they’re good company

[@kuntakentatube3102]

I Remember watching him in AAU boxing Tournament, he fought someone name Mike Collins , He lost that fight. Collins got robbed big time, no disrespect M.R .Hickman

[@Clarencebeeks89]

Almost got out !!! .. so close … then they dragged him back in.

[@puttydadon3376]

This is great rite hea all I'm a say I'd as a Man he knew like he said I was doing throwing 2much and had 2 save some 4 later 💯💥💥

[@keithbradley1197]

I blame his father, why would he insist on Todd staying in Akron

[@dshooter6391]

He, and he alone, messed his life up.

[@winstonjames2583]

Yall check his hoops channel out hoops histoire...breakdowns on underrated hoopers thru the years...

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thanks, Winston

[@danielsmart8398]

Hope his father is happy. Obviously too stubborn to see that a transfer to NJ was a way out of Akron for him. Such a tragedy and a waste of true talent. RIP

[@truth294]

Intro song?

[@coreo2408]

Ye i need the song

[@coreo2408]

Found it kzbin.info/www/bejne/h4iUmH18jbKUZ9U

[@BacKYarDsky]

Dang Hickman was Good

[@scottpuryear2810]

It's just the roll of the dice he may have had talent but was missing first a strong father and second the vision to see his future his father was no way like cus was to Tyson a lil bit too timid for a wreckless kid like todd

[@SuperhumanUnchained]

What a great fighter

[@Jammo1978]

RIP, How did he go into a fight not knowing his opponent was a Southpaw before hand.

[@roncoleman9502]

I guess the Lord needed a boxer in heaven. My o my this is so sad I just can't seem to understand. I hate this so bad

[@angelcorrea58]

Macho cama chocolate nex video please

[@darrickmalloy6909]

His father held him back.

[@allpositivenetwork]

I was not familiar with him, but this is a great video

[@B-Rai87]

Todd had so much talent. Such a shame he didn't live out his potential 😔

[@magicman124]

Question do u know todd that was my buddy

[@thedebatefinisher..5521]

@@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..

[@magicman124]

@@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

[@butchyray6553]

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

[@kissmypaleass]

What a coincidence that you have mentioned Ezzar Charles as it's his birthday today

[@jeffrailey]

💖🙏🏾✝️

[@lonnylalanne1150]

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

[@craigsmith4031]

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

[@whitehurstcomic]

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.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thanks, whitehurstcomic. Yeah, I forgot Brown was a matinee idol

[@RebelDawgs]

SAD THAT THIS HAPPENED HE COULD HAVE BEEN ONE OF THE GREATS

[@illkid86]

He is just we will never know

[@bannyglovver5708]

That's why it happened

[@PrimordialChaos9]

Never heard of Todd Hickman,but it looks like he had all the tools to be an elite boxer. Great video.

[@oyeanrhodes847]

What's the name of the music in the background at 25 sec

[@jayy1991]

That’s my uncle his brother is my father he died later on after Todd

[@CodyCole80]

Condolences 💐

[@anthonytaylor7928]

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

[@paulaross4771]

Your comment brought a smile to my face and tears to my eyes, he had a million dollar smile!

[@robash5474]

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...

[@robash5474]

Also shook hands with the great middleweight champ Tony Zale who was in attendance that night as well .

[@jtleon7086]

@@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

[@OldSchoolStrength]

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 👊

[@elwin38]

I thought i knew about boxing but apparently i dont because i never heard of this guy.🤷🏾‍♂️ Talented boxer whose life was cut short.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thank you, O S S

[@OldSchoolStrength]

@@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 👍