MTK Global will provide the “final push” towards world glory for Tommy Ward.
So believes the man who has guided the super-bantamweight to the verge of a crack at the WBO championship.
Neil Fannan has coached Thomas Patrick Ward to 26 straight wins and, along with manager Dave Garside, rubber-stamped the new association with MTK Global.
Mack The Knife, to give them their ‘Sunday name’, are serious players on boxing’s top table as seen by the number of leading figures on their books, Charlie Edwards, Carl Frampton, Tyson Fury and Billy Joe Saunders to name just four.
Given the class of Ward he too should soon be rubbing shoulders in that sort of company.
It has been a mystery to so many why the 25-year-old is not already a star turn on a major promoter’s books, though he was, briefly, part of the Frank Warren empire.
Garside and Fannan have been the brains and money behind Ward’s rose and the coach now believes MTK will get them over the world finish line.
“We need power behind us and MTK provide that,” Fannan told punch-lines.
“MTK have 250 fighters on their books and you see them on all the top bills.
“Not only that, they have shows all over and are a major organisation.
“We’re just waiting on that final push for Tommy and MTK can do that.”
Ward has incredible technical ability and speed and he proved last time out that he can really excite.
The Co Durham talent put his World Boxing Organisation ranking on the line in America in February when he went across the Atlantic to face hot USA prospect Jesse Hernandez.
Ward won in style, putting the Texan on his pants on his way to a huge points win for the NABA-USA super-bantamweight belt.
He impressed the USA and UK television audience and promoter Dmitriy Salita put an offer on the table for Tommy to box in the States.
“The chance was there,” explained Fannan. “Dmitriy told us America loved Tommy.
“But we believe the MTK deal was our best route.
“They promote all over the UK and there is a great chance they’ll be coming back to Newcastle this year.
“It’s nice to think Tommy is loved and wanted in America, but we want him loved and watched here, in the North-East and all over Britain.”
Ward is likely to have a first MTK date in July and could box three times for them in 2019, depending on world openings.
“We’d take a world title fight today,” said Fannan. “But not many champions take people with 26 straight wins as a voluntary. “We’re just waiting for that final push.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Tom Collins/ Hartlepool Life
