Tommy Ward says Saturday night’s MTK show in Newcastle ticks every box for him.
The unbeaten 25-year-old is the star attraction on the event at the Newcastle Eagles Community Arena on Saturday night, when he takes on Spanish-based Nicaraguan Yesner Talavera.
This international 10-rounder heads the 12-fight promotion at the Scotswood Road venue.
Ward could have had a slot on ‘Bad Blood’ in Newcastle on October 19, but opted for the show staged by his new promoters, MTK, which also includes an appearance from gifted Wels super-flyweight Andrew Selby.
“It’s a fantastic show,” Ward told punch-lines. “It’s full of North-East talent.
“Matchroom’s show next month is a very good one, but has only has a handful of North-East boxers on it.
“The MTK show is packed with North-East boxers and it’s great to be a part of it.
“It’s nice to see Andrew Selby boxing here too, he’s a good addotion to the event.”
There are many similarities between Ward and Talavera, who are divided by only a year – Yesner is 24 – and only one separates them in terms of bouts with Tommy having fought 27 times to his rival’s 26.
But the win stats show a different story with Ward winning all 27 of his contests, compared to a 15-10-1 (4) record of the former Nicaraguan champion.
“He looks a decent boxer,” explained the Neil Fannan and Dave Garside WBO world number four. “He’s a boxer and mover and his record is not a bad one at all.
“He’s been in with some good fighters and while he’s not beaten them, he’s performed well.
“Training has gone well and I’ve trained for a hard fight, I’m looking forward to it.”
Watch Tommy Ward and Yesner Talavera weigh in here
As stated at the top of the piece, there is plenty to see at the Newcastle Eagles Arena – 12 bouts in total with NE Security-sponsored Ward v Telavera supported by a 10-round heavyweight tussle between the revitalised Simon Vallily and Erik Nazaryan, with Selby going over eight with Tanzania’s Fadhili Majiha.
Undefeated MTK man Chad Ellis has a six rounder with Dale Arrowsmith, while popular Geordie Joe Laws goes over the same distance with Jan Balog and there is a 6×3 for unbeaten Redcar welterweight Tom Hill against Nathan Hardy.
Elsewhere, there are four rounders for Alex Farrell, Adam Gair, Basi Razaq, Darren Reay, Steve Robinson and Terence Wilkinson.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Simon Stacpoole/Matchroom
