Sam ‘The Punching Policeman’ Hill preps for Jan. 26 title fight
By Glenn McBrady
For the St. Louis American
Recent sports history provides countless examples of athletes who excelled at the top of their games and attained wealth beyond their wildest dreams, only to burn through their money and flame out on a free fall towards financial hardship and an overlooked existence far from the spotlight they once basked in.
These tragic figures are defined only by what they do on the field, and a subsequent lack of planning for life after sports carries them down the same ill-fated path.
What do celebrated sports stars do once the big show is done with them and they are left to make personal and financial decisions that will affect the rest of their lives?
Just as a football or baseball player may set the ultimate professional goal of one day wearing a Super Bowl or World Series Championship ring, boxers covet world title belts and the riches that are supposedly attached to them. If you ask fighters what they’ll do if the ship carrying those fat paydays never lands, many shrug their shoulders and look puzzled, as if they’ve never considered that possibility.
Sam “The Punching Policeman” Hill will be fighting for the North American Midwest Association’s cruiserweight title on January 26 at the Family Arena in St. Charles, and after speaking with him recently, it was clear that this 7th District police officer has his plans and priorities in order.
In the early evening this past Friday, as people left their jobs downtown and made a chilly damp commute down South Tucker in front of the 12th & Park Recreation Center, the thirty-five year-old Hill was gloving up and preparing to spar with a light heavyweight opponent a decade younger.
The talented Kevin Engel was already warmed up, and with Hill’s trainer and fellow police officer Jerry Leyshock keeping time on his wristwatch, the pair touched gloves and began under the stern command, “Let’s work!”
Both jabbed early and often, testing the temperature of the water before jumping in and letting their hands go. Hill slipped a jab and countered with a right hook to the head and a crisp left hook to the body. Engel responded by following a sneaky lead right cross with a left hook upstairs.
Engel began round two by setting the table with straight punches on the outside and then took a seat inside, gouging Hill’s ribs with four consecutive body shots punctuated by a heat seeking left hook just under Hill’s right elbow that drew approval from trainer Jesse Finney.
Rounds three and four were also fought in close quarters, with the duo swapping more hurtful body work.
As multiple sirens began to wail through the neighborhood behind the rec center, 6th District police officer and “Guns ‘n Hoses” veteran Ryan Cousins slipped through the ropes to get in on the action. At 5’9”, 190 lbs., Cousins provided a bulkier test for Hill, who looked just as fresh at the end of the session as he had at the outset.
When I sat down with Hill and asked him about his goals, his comments were a departure from the tune I’ve become accustomed to hearing.
“If I don’t become a world champion, The Punching Policeman’ is going to be alright,” he said. He added, “I have my goals set and I know what I want to accomplish in life. I always have a back up plan. Boxing is not even my primary thing. My primary thing, of course, is God, my family and my job. Boxing falls under those things, and a lot of people don’t like to hear me say that.”
“That doesn’t mean I don’t give the sport my all,” he continued, adding, “It just means my priorities are set, and I’m not depending on boxing. It’s something I like doing, and it’s good secondary money for me. You have to always prepare for the future.”
Hill said he has two more years of professional boxing left in him. For now, he will continue to focus on his wife and three kids and his obligation to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. He is also studying for a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and looks forward to providing local youth with a positive role model as a coach at the Police Athletic League Gym.
His personal and professional success is a testament to the importance of having a game plan and realistic goals to lead a balanced life guided by priorities.
Sam Hill’s cruiserweight title fight will be part of the “SUPERBRAWL” card at the Family Arena in St. Charles on Thursday, Jan. 26 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are available by calling MetroTix at (314) 534-1111, (636) 898-4200, or (314) 423-6579.
