Didn't knew this guy like at all, well you learn something new everyday! Any reason for him retiring so "early"? 29yo isn't exactly the end of the road for most of the boxers back then
Hilmer had I think it was two surgeries to repair the detached retina and sat out like 14 months after losing his title to Sean O’Grady. Came back and quickly notched a nice win over undefeated John Montez, then soon after retired on his stool after two rounds vs Roberto Elizondo while not hurt, injured or taking a beating … just said he didn’t feel right. Returned and won seven more fights, mostly meaningless but a couple of good wins (an 11-0 guy and a Fredddie Pendleton who had a misleading record). He had a fight scheduled on ESPN (not sure vs whom) at the end of 1984 and pulled out with no reason and said he was thinking about retiring … and did. I don’t think Hilmer absolutely loved boxing and his heart doesn’t seem to have been in it after losing his title. He had some business interests and decided to concentrate on that. I know someone who came across him several years ago now and said he was doing good and happy to talk boxing and the Kronk glory days, but keeps a low profile as far as the boxing thing.
I think Steward wanted him to retire but he didn't want to so he kept fighting and I think he realized he wasn't what he once was and then hung them up. His brother was a decent pro as well and fought on ESPN a bunch of times. Kronk at one time was churning out top boxers at a,dizzying pace.
