Team Ward are on their travels, but their departure from Hartlepool is not for good.
Tommy Ward and trainers, Neil Fannan and Martin Ward, have jetted out to Marbella for a stint of warm-weather training.
The British champion, who will have a tune-up in Houghton next month ahead of his title defence against James ‘Jazza’ Dickens, will visit the MTK gym in Spain.
Manager Dave Garside has masterminded the venture.
“It’s something a bit different for Tommy,” said the man who guided Michael Hunter to British, Commonwealth and European title glory, and a world championship challenge.
“It’s a brilliant place to train and a chance to do some warm-weather training.
“It’s a change and it will be good for them.”
MTK Global, who operate the flourishing gym, have the likes of Irish stars Carl Frampton, Jamie and Michael Conlan on their books plus, ironically, Dickens, who Ward will meet soon in a cracking British championship clash.
It is a fascinating contest, which could go ahead on the mammoth Lee Selby-Josh Warrington event at Elland Road on Saturday, May 19, live on BT Sport.
Tommy’s promoter, Frank Warren, won the purse bids for Ward-Dickens 2 though no announcement has been made as yet by the legendary fight figure.
Ward ripped the Lonsdale Belt from Jazza on his debut for Warren in the same city last May on the judges scorecards after an accidental clash of heads caused referee Michael Alexander to halt the bout in round nine after the recommendation of the ringside doctor.
The NES Securities-sponsored boxer got the verdict 88-84 and 87-85 (twice), but the confrontation was coming to an exciting climax with Dickens starting to come on strong so that has got fight fans excited for the re-match.
Since beating the top-class 8st 10lb operator, Tommy has made a successful maiden defence against Birmingham’s Sean ‘Showtime’ Davis in Newcastle last November.
However, he has not fought since and Garside and Fannan, as well as the boxer himself, want him in action next month.
Ward will have a non-championship bout, probably over six rounds, at Phil Jeffries’ first promotion of 2018, at Rainton Meadows Arena, on March 10.
Words: Roy Kelly
