Tommy Ward is set to face a world-rated Mexican when he makes his first appearance of 2020.
Promoter Eddie Hearn said he proposed a WBO inter-continental championship contest in Newcastle for the unbeaten talent who is at the top of the World Boxing Organisation’s super-bantamweight tree.
And the Matchroom supremo has delivered by pairing the Neil Fannan and Dave Garside boxer with Jose Martin Garcia at the Utilita Arena on Saturday, April 4.
Garcia has just won the WBO’s Latino title, clinching a unanimous points decision over Luis Lebron in Panama City.
The Mexican, rated 15 by the WBO, has a record of 11 wins and a draw, with just two defeats, both of which came early in his career.
Ward’s coach says it will be no walkover for the 25-year-old who is seeking his 30th straight win on the show headlined by team-mate, Lewis Ritson, who faces ex-world champion Miguel Vazquez.
“I’ve not been able to find much footage of Garcia,” Fannan told punch-lines. “But what I have watched, he looks a handful.
“The lad he was boxing for the WBO Latino title seemed a heavy hitter yet Garcia walked through a lot of his shots.
“He’s been the Mexican champion and beaten a few decent names so he’s more than useful and he’s at world level.
“We need to beat good fighters to get a world title contest so this is ideal.
“And if you are going to have a test then it’s better to be having it on your own patch.
“We’ve done it away from home, last year Tommy beat Jesse Hernandez in Kansas, but it’s nice to have home advantage.
“I’m not just on about the fight itself, but you are sleeping in your own bed, eating at home and in your own routine and that all helps.
“We’re looking forward to it, not just Tommy’s bout but Lewis’s too.”
Hartlepool-based Ward, part of the MTK organisation and sponsored by NE Security, beat another Mexican last time out, outpointing Martin Casillas in Dubai in November.
It is a bumper show on Tyneside, where Hartlepool’s Savannah Marshall challenges Geovana Peres for the Kiwi’s WBO light-heavyweight title.
There is an intriguing scrap at heavyweight where Middlesbrough’s Simon Vallily meets Fabio Wardley for the vacant English belt.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Tom Collins
