INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) – An electronic boxing timer dings in a house garage turned into a small gym. Curtis Hill Jr. works tirelessly through a series of punching drills while his coach Cedric Johnson barks encouragement.
"Hit! Work! Work! Work! Work!" shouts Johnson, a former boxer himself and now owner of Ced's Boxing Academy and CBA Promotions. "World Title at stake. Let's go. Let's get it. Bring this home to Indianapolis."
Hill fights Saturday night in Austin, Texas, for the vacant WBC Youth World Light Heavyweight title. Hill is 23 years old and must be under age 24 to fight in this division.
"For someone that's 23, haven't won national tournaments, haven't done big things in the boxing world, and now have a shot at a world title at the youth - it's a big opportunity," said Hill, dripping with sweat after a workout Friday.
Hill is undefeated in 10 professional bouts with five knockouts. His opponent, Ali Akhmedov from Kazakhstan, is also undefeated (7-0).
"We're fighting a tough kid, but we're ready," said Johnson as Hill pounded a heavy bag. "They pretty much they picked the wrong guy."
Hill grew up in an east side Indianapolis neighborhood near E. 34th Street and Nicholas Avenue, the youngest of five kids.
"If you catch me on the streets, I'm goofy Curtis," said Hill, a Shortridge High School graduate. "I'm goofy. You'll be like, 'For real, Curtis, what are you doing? Like stop.' I'm goofy. But then when it comes to boxing, it's a kill switch."
Hill turned to boxing at age 12 after his bike was stolen. He read about how that also happened to legendary boxer Muhammad Ali.
"Boxing is the only thing that gets me, because I want to win," said Hill. "I want to be successful. I want to make my friends, family, fight fans - I want to make people proud of me seeing that a kid that grew up in a tough neighborhood grew up and became somebody."
Several of Hill's neighborhood friends have died from violence. One of his brothers is in prison. Hill was 17 years old when his father died. Johnson has become like a father and guided Hill's career to this title shot.
Hill left for Austin Wednesday for final preparations for the biggest payday of his young career. The 10 rounds will be his longest fight if it goes the distance. Hill hopes to win the WBC Youth World Light Heavyweight title Saturday and then defend his title in a couple months. He would have to relinquish the title when he turns 24 December 19.