Winning in America.
Hardly a regular, great British tradition, is it?
However, Tommy Ward is just hours away from putting Co Durham on the world boxing map.
The 24-year-old tackles dangerous Texan, Jesse Angel Hernandez, in a WBO world super-bantamweight eliminator at the Kansas Star Arena.
Victory would put the unbeaten West Rainton and Hartlepool star at the front of the World Boxing Organisation’s queue.
Months after an IBF world title eliminator with Cesar Juarez did not get off the ground, the Dave Garside and Neil Fannan boxer has accepted a confrontation with Hernandez.
“I’d love to be able to be one of the few who conquers America,” said the former British champion who has won all 25 of his professional appearances.
“I’ll fight anyone, anywhere, it doesn’t matter to me, as long as it’s a good fight and makes sense.”
Ward told punch-lines that a 4,000-mile excursion to the middle of the USA was a no-brainer – he dreams of being a world champion and knows this is a pathway towards it.
“It’s a great opportunity, the alternative was having a six or eight rounder somewhere and waiting my turn,” said the WBO’s number four.
“But we have the chance here to make something happen.”
The NE Security and O’Tooles-sponsored talent admits he may need to take the fight to his opponent.
While Hernandez is not boxing in his own town, the 28-year-old, from Fort Worth, is in neighbouring state, Kansas.
“I’m the foreign boxer on away soil but I believe if I can do what I normally do, box well, make him miss, counter him I can land the cleaner punches and show I am the better boxer,” said Ward.
“I hope the judges recognise that and get the right winner and I’m sure that will be me.”
It looks some bout.
However, nine of those wins have come against boxers who have had 10 bouts or less.
Hernandez is in terrific form, with 12 victories and just one defeat.
Ward, meanwhile, has had three title successes in his last five bouts while the other two have produced stoppage wins, proving he can put away rivals.
The fight is being shown live on BoxNation in the UK and on Showtime in the USA. The contest is expected to start around 3am.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Tom Collins/ Hartlepool Life
