Stalemate.
That is the title situation unbeaten Tommy Ward is in as the clock ticks on a proposed International Boxing Federation super-bantamweight eliminator with Cesar Juarez.
Punch-lines reported back on September 11 of how the IBF had set this match of their fifth and seventh-rated 122lb men with the winner lined up to take on new champion TJ Doheny, the Australian-based Irishman who had won the title in an upset in Japan against Ryosuke Iwasa in August.
We revealed the following day that promoter, Dennis Hobson, was looking to bring this England v Mexico showdown to the UK, but negotiations would seem to have hit the proverbial brick wall.
Hobson, who was involved in July’s event at Rainton Meadows where Ward outclassed Spanish champion to become the IBF’s European king, has dealt closely with the International Boxing Federation over a long period of time , promoting successful IBF world title triumphs for Ricky Hatton, Stuart Hall and Clinton Woods.
Time is, of course, on the side of Ward who is only 24 and unbeaten on 25 victories.
But there is frustration that a month after the IBF set out the bout that no agreement has been forthcoming for the gifted Dave Garside and Neil Fannan boxer.
“It’s a bit of a stalemate,” Fannan told punch-lines.
“Something’s got to happen. Hopefully the IBF will step in and apply some pressure to try to find an agreement or at least put a timescale on it.”
Ward v Juarez looks a tasty scrap.
The rivals are top-10 ranked in two governing bodies, Ward (seven IBF, four WBO) and Juarez (five IBF, six WBO) while the Mexican is 10th in the WBC list, one spot above the West Rainton and Hartlepool talent.
Juarez has a highly impressive record of 23-6, 17 of his wins by stoppage, including two of his last three appearances following his fifth-round loss at the hands of the excellent Isaac Dogboe in Ghana in January for the WBO belt.
Ward is trailing in the KO stats but he showed his vicious side last Saturday when he knocked out Tom Tran in the tussle of the Thomases at the Metro Radio Arena.
The NE Security-sponsored star flew at the German from the first bell, knocking his opponent to the canvas twice, where referee Ron Kearney counted him out at two minutes, 22 second of round one.
With no progress (yet) on an IBF eliminator, Ward will box on November 30 at Rainton Meadows where Phil Jeffries promote their final event of 2018, also starring Joe Laws, Martin Ward and Terence Wilkinson.
Words: Roy Kelly Pictures: Simon Stacpoole/ Matchroom
