Tommy Ward is thrilled to have been given an invite to the Lewis Ritson big bash, but knows his party is just around the corner.
Ward will have a six-round contest on Saturday, October 13 at Newcastle, where Ritson meets Belgium’s Francesco Patera for the vacant European lightweight title.
While ‘The Sandman’ is within touching distance of conquering Europe, Ward has the world at his feet, given he is in line for a crack at the IBF super-bantamweight championship.
Talks are on-going over an IBF eliminator with Mexico’s Cesar Juarez, with the winner getting to fight the new champion, Australian-based Irishman TJ Doheny.
First up for Ward though is half-a-dozen rounds on the Matchroom event, which will be screened by Sky Sports.
Tommy, on a hot streak of 24 straight wins, trains in the same Hartlepool gym as the undefeated British lightweight champ, with both unbeaten North East boxers under the considerable expertise of coach Neil Fannan.
The NE Security-sponsored talent loved being in the crowd when Ritson took apart Paul Hyland Jnr to win the Lonsdale Belt outright back in June, when Sunderland’s Josh Kelly took the Commonwealth welterweight crown on the same show.
Now Ward will be in the ring in what looks like being a very full and noisy Metro Radio Arena.
“The last show here was fantastic, one of the best atmospheres I’ve ever experienced,” Tommy told punch-lines. “Getting on this show is brilliant, there’s a lot of local talent on it, and I think there’ll be more at this event than the last one.
“Fighting’s what I love doing so to be able to get on this big stage is brilliant .
“It will be great to show my skills, show people what I’m about.”
Ward hopes an IBF eliminator is just around the corner, but says he is concentrating on carrying on from where he left off last time out.
Back in July, the Co Durham boxer outclassed Spanish champ Alvaro Rodriguez to lift the IBF European super-bantamweight strap thanks to a sumptuous performance.
“It’s nice to keep busy, keep ticking over, “ said the Dave Garside-managed star. “I’m just looking forward to boxing.
“I think I’m improving all the time, Neil’s bringing me on loads.
“It was a good display against Alvaro and a mature display.”
Ward is just one of a number of North-East boxers on show, alongside Joe Laws, Lawrence Osueke and Simon Vallily, while 2016 Olympian Joshua Buatsi is one of the main attractions.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Tom Collins/ East Durham Life
