Finesse can overcome fire.
That’s the view of Tommy Ward 24 hours away from his World Boxing Organisation super-bantamweight eliminator with Jesse Angel Hernandez in Kansas.
The pair meet over 10 rounds at the Kansas Star Arena, where Ward will be looking to extend his 100 per cent run to 26 wins and Hernandez will be striving for career victory number 13.
Already, the 28-year-old, from neighbouring Texas, has halted seven foes, including his stand-out victory, a fifth-round stoppage of previously-unbeaten Russian, Vladimir Tikhonov, in Detroit.
The Fort Worth southpaw’s rounds total of 58 is not far off a century shy of Ward’s 147, where the Hartlepool-trained Co Durham boxer has shaped an incredible talent into being one of the best 122lb men on the planet.
And it’s that skill, movement and precision punching he plans to bring to the ring for a bout shown on Showtime in North America and BoxNation in the UK.
Not that the NE Security and O’Tooles-sponsored ace has been dwelling on his rival – Tommy has let coach Neil Fannan and elder brother, Martin, watch the footage of the Texan.
“Martin and Neil have been watching his fights and they’ve been telling me bits and bobs over the weeks in camp,” said the 24-year-old, who is managed by Dave Garside.
“I never tend to watch my opponents unless I’ve seen them in person.
“I’ve just been concentrating on being the best Tommy Ward I can be. If I am at my best on the night I am sure I can beat anyone.
“He’s an aggressive come forward fighter, he is tall but because he comes forward he is taking that advantage away from himself.
“I’m not going to have to look for him, he’s going to be there.
“I’ve boxed come-forward fighters, I’ve taken on boxers, but, for me, it’s always about who’s the cleverer fighter on the night, I believe I am one of the cleverest out there so I think Jesse might have his work cut out.”
Ward cut a very relaxed figure at the weigh-in today in Kansas, tipping the scales at 8st 9lb 8oz, with Hernandez bang on 8st 9lbs.
BoxNation will start transmitting from 2am on Saturday morning.
Words: Roy Kelly
