Joey Spencer has fought in some of boxing’s biggest markets, but nothing compares to the pride of fighting in his own backyard.
Spencer will be checking off a career milestone on Thursday when he steps into the ring at the Dort Financial Center in Flint, Michigan, as part of Salita Promotions’ “Big Time Boxing USA” card. Spencer, 24, will face unbeaten Miguel Angel Hernandez in a 10-round middleweight bout headlining a card broadcast live on DAZN.
It’s a homecoming for Spencer, a native of Linden, Michigan, which is just a 21-minute drive from Flint.
“I’ve always wanted to fight at the Dort Financial Center,” Spencer said during Tuesday’s media workout. “It’s sort of a bucket list thing for people in this area.”
For Spencer, 18-1 (11 KOs), the fight represents more than just proximity – it’s an opportunity to reestablish himself, this time in a new division, at middleweight. After suffering a loss to junior middleweight Jesus Ramos Jnr in 2023, Spencer has rebounded with two wins and is now eager to showcase his skills on his most high-profile stage since that setback.
His opponent, Hernandez, a 26-year-old from Dallas, Texas, boasts an unbeaten 9-0 (7 KOs) record, but has faced limited competition. His lone victory over an opponent with a winning record came in February in Canada, his only fight outside the U.S. Despite this, Spencer is preparing for a challenging bout, knowing what’s at stake in front of a supportive hometown crowd. For Spencer, this fight isn’t just about boxing—it’s about reconnecting with his roots, giving back to the community that raised him, and reigniting his career with the energy of the place he calls home. Spencer reflected on the significance of the night, sharing the card with Flint native Ardreal Holmes Jr., who headlines the event.
“When I was younger, guys like Ardreal Holmes Jr. were the people I idolized,” Spencer said. “They were the ones doing what I wanted to do.”
He also paid tribute to Claressa Shields, Flint’s most famous fighter, who has set the bar for Michigan boxing.
“Fighters like Claressa [Shields] set the standard for the ones coming up,” Spencer said.
Lucas Ketelle is a proud member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and author of “Inside The Ropes of Boxing” (available on Amazon). Contact him on X @LukieBoxing.
