Tommy Ward could be on his way back to the USA.
And don’t rule out him fighting at the Anthony Joshua-Jarrell Miller heavyweight title showdown in New York on June 1.
Ward is currently at home in Co Durham basking in the glow of an incredible performance in America at the weekend.
The 24-year-old produced a boxing masterclass to defeat Texan world title hopeful Jesse Angel Hernandez in a WBO super-bantamweight eliminator, all three judges scoring him the winner by huge margins.
Tommy entertained a live TV audience, not only on BoxNation in the UK but Showtime in North America and the man who promoted Saturday’s event at the Kansas Star Arena (Dmitriy Salita) is keen for him to return, as coach Neil Fannan revealed.
“He’s already been on the phone this week,” Fannan told punch-lines.
“Dmitriy told me that Tommy’s a big hit in America and that they have found, in his words, ‘our next star’.
“When we signed to box Jesse, the promoter put in a one-fight option on Tommy, it’s not uncommon for that to happen, usually for re-matches.
“But having spoken to him, there could be a chance a one-fight option could become a three or four-fight deal.
“Salita has TV coverage in the USA so it’s something we’d certainly listen to.”
Given Ward’s display – he put down a man rated in the top echelon of three world sanctioning bodies as well as out-boxing him – it would be a surprise if UK promoters were not keen on an arrangement.
While our islands are not exactly short of world champions, those with Ward’s boxing skills are few and far between.
But it seems Salita is one step ahead and Fannan, manager Dave Garside and Ward would consider it.
Salita is also the co-promoter of Miller, who challenges Joshua for the Briton’s WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO belts on June 1 and Fannan mentioned Madison Square Garden in his conversation.
“When we spoke, I said a fight in New York in June would suit us,” smiled Fannan.
“I know it’s Eddie Hearn’s show but he’s already been quoted saying that he was stacking the bill with British fighters.
“It’s Eddie’s show, not Dmitriy’s but I could not resist dropping a big hint with the man who handles Miller.”
NE Security and O’Tooles-sponsored Ward (pictured having his hand raised by referee Bill Clancy) is having a couple of weeks off before returning to Fannan’s Hartlepool gym next month.
Words: Roy Kelly
