Tommy Ward can end his year just as he began it, with a win on foreign soil. Or should that be sand?
The world number four WBO super-bantam will box on MTK’s event in Dubai on November 22.
Ward started 2019 in style with a sensational victory on his overseas debut, dishing out a schooling to the Tex/Mex boxer Jessie Angel Hernandez and now there is an heavier Mexican flavour to his assignment at the Caesar’s Palace Resort in the UAE.
Should Casilias be confirmed, the 31-year-old from Mexico City, will be no pushover, coming in with five straight wins under his belt.
He has 20 victories in total with 10 of those successes coming early. He’s lost 11, all on points.
It is Ward’s fourth appearance of the year and his third under the MTK banner with coach Neil Fannan pleased to be taking the 25-year-old to new pastures.
“After he won in Newcastle last month I put our names forward for this event,” Fannan told punch-lines. “So it’s been nice to get it confirmed.
“It’s good to get a nice run out, both in terms of the show, the location and the fight itself.
“Casilias looks a handful, the Mexican fighters usually are.
“MTK are trying to grow boxing in new places so it’s nice to be a part of that.”
Ward’s training regime means there has been no well-earned breather for Fannan this week, despite one of his greatest results of his career on Saturday night when Lewis Ritson defeated Robbie Davies in their WBA world title eliminator.
Fannan did not get away from the Utilita Arena until the early hours and was then awake early to open up the gym.
“I’ve never rested on my laurels,” said Fannan. “It was straight back to work, there are new challenges to tackle, my desire is still as strong as ever.
“Saturday night was very satisfactory, I felt I was on trial having with Lewis coming to train full time with me, so to see all the work we had put in work come off was good.
“But Tommy was sparring Sunday morning so it was back to business.”
Ward, managed by Dave Garside, has triumphed in all 28 of his bouts, the NE Security-sponsored talent’s most recent victory coming at the Newcastle Eagles Arena last month when he outpointed Yesner Talavera over 10 rounds.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Tom Collins/ Hartlepool Life
