Brooklyn and Nikki Rumble at IFL6
IFL 6: Brooklyn Barwick vs Nikki "Kanga" Hru in Hollywood
By Uppercut Magazine staff
Two starkly different women collide as Brooklyn Barwick meets Nikki “Kanga” Hru in the Influencer Fight League title fight this weekend.
Brooklyn, 23, comes from Harlem, New York but originally from Laguna Beach.
Hru, 26, trains in West Hollywood, Calif. but calls Orlando, Florida home.
Brooklyn calls Nikki an “OCKY b--ch.”
That’s a new one on me, but the age of influencers is upon us and Brooklyn Barwick meets Nikki Hru in a ICB featherweight title match at the Academy in Hollywood, on Saturday June 24. FITE.TV will show IFL 6 card on pay-per-view.
For Brooklyn and Nikki it’s their first professional fight.
“It is a little bit surreal. This is a very different path than I was two years ago,” said Hru via cell phone. “Its such a different path but it makes so much sense.”
Barwick and Hru don’t get along and don’t have the same path, but both have backgrounds in sports. One thing they do have in common is a wrestling background. It’s not a sport that involves punching but usually wrestlers have outstanding balance.
Barwick has fan recognition going in her favor with a very large social media following. She’s a self-proclaimed “chain smoker” and has the sponsors to prove it. She also has a gymnastics background and was involved in competitive cheerleading where “Bring It On” movie type of competition is real.
“I did take some kickboxing classes. I was in high school wrestling. And competitive cheerleading,” said Barwick who attended Laguna Beach High. “I am a bronze medalist at the 2017 cheerleading worlds. Laguna Beach High school.”
She also coaches gymnastics when available. Tumbling is her specialty.
Hru grew up in Florida and derives from a sports family. Her father, mother and brother all enjoy sports activities. Despite their competitive upbringing, her involvement in boxing was a surprise. Acting and modeling was the goal but somehow it turned to boxing.
A year ago, the Florida native engaged in an exhibition bout against a much heavier foe and was surprised at the power that weight difference makes. Against Barwick the weight limit is 126 pounds featherweight limit.
Both fighters are licensed as professionals.
“To have validation of being a professional fighter or having this sanctioned for a title it is an incredible feeling,” said Hru.
Barwick, who has lived in New York for about 10 months, said obtaining a license to fight professionally made a profound impact.
“That’s so wild to say that I’m a pro boxer,” said Barwick giving an example. “I was going away to party and I’m like hey guys, I can’t get into any fights because I will automatically go to jail since this is my profession.”
Training
Florida’s Hru trains in West Hollywood at the famous Justin Fortune Gym. It’s usually packed with pro fighters and actors like Frank Grillo of Avenger’s movie franchise fame.
For the past two months she solely concentrated on preparing for this fight. Though she does not have a boxing background she was involved in martial arts training at eight years old. Punching and kicking are engrained in her.
“I have to stop trying to kick people,” said Hru about one of her flaws.
Oddly, Orange County’s Barwick trains elsewhere.
Barwick endured sparring sessions with pro fighters in both Mexico and the USA. Getting punched in the face and body has been an experience.
“My dad lives in Mexico hence why I trained some in Mexico,” said Barwick who mainly trained in Harlem and also in the Los Angeles area. “The first time I got hit was by a professional boxer Agnesa “Spitfire” Kirakosian. Agnes decked me.”
She doesn’t expect the same power from Hru.
Brooklyn Barwick wants to smack Nikki Hru on the face. When they crossed paths in a Sunset Boulevard night club a night ago, it allegedly erupted into a small melee.
“She just lies. I’ve never had an opponent that just lies. I don’t know what to do with that,” says Hru.
Brooklyn Barwick claims Nikki Hru is an OCKY.
“That’s a New York slang that means fake, wrong, out of pocket,” Barwick said.
“I’ve never called her ghetto in my life,” Hru says. “She’s just a privileged girl from friggin Laguna Beach.”
Pick your sides. The showdown takes place on Saturday. It's one of many battles in Hollywood.
Doors open at 2 p.m. If sold out, the IFL6 fight card will be streamed on FITE.TV pay-per-view $29.99.