Hicks remains undefeated in pro fighting career

By Jacob Meikel

St. Joseph native Tyson Hicks anticipates a big year in 2025 as he continues to further his professional fighting career.

The Benton High School graduate remains undefeated in his pro career, coming off of a unanimous decision win in a kickboxing bout with Thomas Thatcher of Indianola, Nebraska, back in February. The most recent win improves his professional fighting record to 4-0, while also honoring the person he was closest to. Tina Zbierski, a mother of a family friend, was a person Hicks considered a motherly figure. Zbierski passed away after a battle with cancer in August of 2023, leaving Hicks to fight with a heavy heart heading into the fight that followed Zbierski’s passing. Hicks said the passing of Zbierski is something he feeds off of.

“It’s a reality check. It’s just a sense that we are not here forever, so go after what you want to go after. Anytime I’m in the ring, or I’m cutting weight, it’s more or less knowing what she’s gone through. Other people are having a hard time. You think your life’s hard, it’s really not,” Hicks said.

Hicks has his eyes set on another fight dated for Oct. 5 at Ameristar Casino in Kansas City, a venue he’s become quite familiar with in his pro career. However, Hicks is striving towards taking that next step in his career, possibly taking across multiple states to compete among more of the nations best. Closing in on 34 years of age this week, Hicks takes a different path, having gotten into the sport later than most. As formed the right habits through training and dieting, he remains diligent in the process, especially when he has the backing of his family.

“In the long run, when I’m making the money and we’re able to fly out and do things, because I also want to prove to my daughter, you put your mind to something, you can do it,” Hicks said. “I also want her to chase things outside of St. Joe.”