Tommy Ward admits a fine year is ending in style in Dubai … “as long as I win.”
The world rated super-bantamweight has arrived in the United Arab Emirates ahead of his fourth and final appearance of 2019 on the MTK show this Friday.
Ward will tackle the very durable Mexican, Martin Casillas, in an international eight-rounder at Caesars Palace Dubai.
The unbeaten Hartlepool-trained star has taken his talent far and wide this year, starting with a brilliant WBO world title eliminator in Kansas where he dominated America’s Jesse Angel Hernandez.
Ward slipped a minute percentage point in Brentwood in July but in his autumn date in Newcastle he was simply irresistible.
Dubai is not too shabby a way to conclude 2019.
“As long as I get the win,” said the gifted Dave Garside and Neil Fannan boxer.
”It’s been a very good year, all good performances so far, but I’ve got to keep it going.
“I am at the stage now that I need to win and box well – I can’t afford any slip-ups and no bad performances.
“If I didn’t perform well on Friday, people might question if I am ready for the world title fights I hope are coming my way in 2020.”
Ward was joined on the Emirates flight to Dubai by trainer Fannan, brother Martin, stablemate Lewis Ritson and promoter, Phil Jeffries.
“It’s been nice to get here early,” said the NE Security-sponsored boxer. “It gives me time to acclimatise and get used to the time difference..
“A group of us have come out today and there are 20-odd flying out on Wednesday, so it’s going to be nice having a few fans at the show.”
Ward v Casillas is one of the main support bouts to the headline contest as unbeaten light-welterweight Jack Catterall takes on Germany’s Timo Schwarzkopf.
Casillas, 31, has lost 11 of his 31 bouts and has been a challenger for minor WBC and WBO belts, while the MTK ace Ward has won all 28 of his fights.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Tom Collins/ Hartlepool Life
