By Francisco Salazar
Winning a world title is motivation in itself. So is being the best fighter at the gym one trains at.
Unbeaten welterweight Malik Hawkins now has another sense of motivation to get inside the ring: being a father.
Hawkins became a father earlier this month. While changing diapers and mid-night feedings will become the norm for him, he has business to attend to.
The highly-rated prospect will face late-sub Carlos Soto tonight at the MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland. The eight round bout will air on Showtime as part of a three-bout 'ShoBox' broadcast, beginning at 10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT.
Hawkins was scheduled to face unbeaten fighters Taras Shelestyuk and Juan Ruiz, but both fighters pulled out of the fight due to injuries suffered during training camp. He faces an unbeaten fighter in Soto (13-0-2, with 7 KOs), who be fighting outside of Mexico for the first time in his career.
Hawkins (10-0, with 7 KOs) does not let that affect him.
"I have a lot of faith and ability in myself," Hawkins told BoxingScene.com over the phone on Thursday. "My job is to perform in the ring. My work ethic is strong in case of any changes like opponents. That's why I feel I have to work twice as hard."
Hawkins has not fought since November 11, when he scored a unanimous decision win over veteran Antonio Chaves Fernandez.
Hawkins is familiar to boxing fans as a handful of his fights, including his last two, have aired on television. The 21-year-old feels confident, but believes his career is ready to now take off.
"This is the first time in my career where I really feel like a pro. I'm 10-0, but I have a lot more confidence in myself. Plus I train with (IBF junior lightweight titleholder) Gervonta Davis. We haven't sparred in years, but he coaches me, giving me advice on pacing myself and doing well in the ring."
Aside from the advice Hawkins receives from Davis, he also leans on the wise words of trainer Calvin Ford. A beacon in the Baltimore community, where Hawkins resides, Ford not only trains, but offers advice to the youth of the city.
Hawkins believes he has become a better man, in and out of the ring, because of Ford.
"I'm amassed at how calm he is. He always finds a way to be calm. He was in the streets. For him to be from the streets, I'm amazed how he stays calm, in and out of the ring. He's such a positive influence because of how he can diffuse situations."
With his son being born on April 4, Hawkins has more motivation to do well in the ring. His drive to impress could arrive tonight as he is fighting on a bigger platform (Showtime) and before a contingent of family and friends who will make the drive from Baltimore to the nearby MGM Grand in Oxon Hill.
"I have more motivation. I want to put in the work in each session. My newborn son is giving me that added drive."
"I'm prepared to go eight rounds, but I do feel like I need to make a statement. The boxing world needs to know where I'm coming from."
Francisco A. Salazar has written for Boxingscene.com since September of 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (Calif.) Star newspaper, RingTV.com, and Knockout Nation. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing
