Martin Ward might be sharpening up younger brother Tommy for his next fight – but we have not seen the last of the quality southpaw inside the ring.
Ward senior made no announcement about his future after suffering a heavy defeat in his challenge for the vacant European super-bantamweight in Hartlepool last September.
However, many wondered if his second-round stoppage by Spain’s Abigail Medina in the Borough Hall would signal the end of the road for the 29-year-old.
Not so as Martin told punch-lines though a minor sparring wound may delay his return.
“Medina caught me with a good shot, it happens,” said the Neil Fannan and Dave Garside boxer.
“He hit me in the chest and I thought ‘whoa I wouldn’t like that on my chin’ and, of course, the next one was on the chin!
“After the fight I was devastated and thought that might be enough, but then I thought about the camp we’d had.
“I probably sparred better for that bout than I had for a long, long time. The camp went perfect and I thought ‘I can’t let one shot put me off’.
“I was straight back in the gym to help Tommy get ready for the Sean Davis fight and I took a few lads on the pads, like the Copeys.
“I stayed in the gym, stayed occupied, then in the new year said to Fanno ‘I think I’ll have a fight’ and he said he thinks I have plenty left.”
Martin, who is training Tommy in Fannan’s Hartlepool gym ahead of the British super-bantamweight’s non-title fight at Rainton Meadows on Satutrday, March 10, says the desire to box again is there and he felt some of the old magic in the ring last week.
“I sparred Jordan Gill last Friday, he’s a good kid and I more than held my own,” said the NES Securities-sponsored boxer.
“Neil is a big believer in mental strength, he says ‘if you start doubting yourself then you are done, but if you have the mental fortitude then you carry on’. I’ve not had that many hard fights so why not keep going?
“It would be nice to fight in March but I got a nick in sparring so I may have to wait.”
Words: Roy Kelly
