Tommy Ward will take his chance in a world title eliminator “with both hands.”
The International Boxing Federation have proposed Ward v Cesar Juarez as a final eliminator for Terence TJ Doheny’s super-bantamweight title.
Mexican action man Juarez is rated at six by the IBF, two spots ahead off the undefeated Hartlepool-trainmed boxer.
Juarez has an excellent pedigree, having won 23 of his 29 bouts with two of his six losses coming in WBO world title challenges against Isaac Dogboe and Nonito Donaire.
Ward is a pretty special talent, having reeled off 24 straight victories and he is not fazed about the challenge.
“I’m as good as anyone in this division, probably better,” Ward told punch-lines.
“I’m ready and I’ll take this with both hands.”
Ward is a man on the march, having won the IBF European super-bantamweight belt in July at Houghton where he outclassed Spanish champion Alvaro Rodriguez over 10 rounds.
The Dave Garside and Neil Fannan fighter had previously chalked up British title victories over Jazza Dickens and Sean Davis.
“I think I’m improving all the time and I’m maturing as a fighter, mentally and physically,” added the NE Security-sponsored 122lb-star.
“I do believe I’m getting better in all aspects, under Neil I’m coming on leaps and bounds
“I seem to be getting better every fight.
“Alvaro was a tricky opponent and I stuck to what I was doing.
“He showboated a bit, tried to put me off and pretended not to be hurt when I had hurt him.
“It was a good all-round display.”
Juarez has some record and a mentality to match, bouncing back with three victories this year following his fifth-round stoppage at the hands of the excellent Dogboe in Ghana in January.
Ward though is a class act himself and the better the opponent the better you will see the Co Durham boxer perform.
The winner will face Doheny, the Australian-based Irishman who shocked IBF champ Ryosuke Iwasa of Japan by claiming a unanimous points decision in Tokyo last month.
An eliminator could happen late November or early December but first Tommy must negotiate a six-rounder on the Metro Radio Arena spectacular on Saturday, October 13.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Tom Collins/ Hartlepool Life
