Talk about getting heavyweight backing.
World title hopeful Tommy Ward has got exactly that from one of the biggest fighters on the planet – none other than Tyson Fury.
The 30-year-old, who has announced a WBC heavyweight title re-match with Deontay Wilder for February, is a huge fan of Ward.
Unbeaten Tommy is so close to a world title fight of his own – the 25-year-old is ranked at number four by the World Boxing Organisation at super-bantamweight.
His fabulous February hammering of Jesse Angel Hernandez in Kansas was some statement of intent and it has won him a very powerful fan.
Fury said: “Tommy has already won the British title, he moved up in class and won in America, knocking the lad down.
“I was very impressed with that performance and I think he’s going to get a world title shot next.
“At the highest level you need the ability to box and Tommy can hit as well, putting Hernandez down with the left hook.
“It was a great shot.”
Ward’s next step, sadly, will not have a world title on the line.
Instead he is in action in Brentwood on Saturday night when he will make his debut for promoters MTK.
The Co Durham boxer, trained in Hartlepool by Neil Fannan, will go up against Spain-based Nicaraguan Brayan Mairena at the Brentwood Centre, where IFLTV and ESPN will televise the eight-rounder.
Fury believes Ward’s addition to the MTK set-up – Tyson is managed by Mack the Knife – can only help.
While 6ft 9in Tyson towers over 5ft 6in Tommy, the pair have much in common with styles which rely so much on speed of movement, thought and hand.
But that is where the similarities end with the ‘Gypsy King’ saying Ward does not have to mimic his behaviour.
“Tommy doesn’t have the routine as me,” said Fury.
“I’ve got an out-going personality, I am a natural-born talker and entertainer.
“But Tommy has his own unique style.
“His style is as a nice, genuine, hard-working family man, so he doesn’t need to talk bull like me.
“Tommy needs to keep doing what he’s doing, keep winning, and now he’s with MTK he will move.
“He’s already shown he’s the best in Britain at his weight and he should go on to win titles.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Tom Collins/ Hartlepool Life
