Tommy Ward is just five days away from taking his first steps towards world glory.
And by his side in Houghton on Friday night will be the man who has guided his professional career every inch of the way so far – Neil Fannan.
The Hartlepool trainer will be looking to take Ward to win number 24 when he boxes Spanish champion Alvaro Rodriguez in the Rainton Meadows Arena.
On the line will be the International Boxing Federation’s European belt, in effect a quarter-final for the full IBF super-bantamweight title, which is currently in the hands of Japan’s Ryosuke Iwasa.
How things have changed over 2018.
When punch-lines joined the web in February, one of our first stories was to report that Fannan was weighing up retirement.
However, five months on, the trainer who coached Kevin Bennett, Michael Hunter and three men called Ward (Argie, Martin and Tommy) to major titles is going as strong as ever, having just helped Lewis Ritson claim ownership of the Lonsdale Belt.
Hopes of a title double at the Rainton Meadows Arena have been thwarted by a hand injury to Martin Ward, whose crack at the British super-bantamweight championship has been delayed.
But the show goes on and manager Dave Garside will be hoping Tommy does make those first steps in a event promoted by Dennis Hobson, in association with Phil Jeffries.
And the younger of the Ward bros says could not be happier for the man who is such an inspiration to him.
“Fanno was on a bit of a downer but things have turned around haven’t they?” Tommy told punch-lines.
“Neil loves boxing, loves the training part.
“He’s got a British champion in Lewis, he’s taken me to the British title and his ambition for me has always been to be world champion.
“I think that’s why Neil and Dave have come up with this route now to the world title.
“Hopefully with Lewis booming, me going for the IBF and Martin back in for the British title and at a level where he belongs so everything is going good.”
Fannan is pictured above left, with Tommy on his left, alongside Martin and NE Security manager, Mark Lloyd.
It is a packed bill with an array of North-East talent in action, Chad Ellis, Jordan Ellison, Anth Hardy, Tom Hill, Joe Laws, Kyle Redfearn, Mohammed Waqas, and Terence Wilkinson.
For ticket info, contact Phil on 07747611020.
Words: Roy Kelly
