You can’t accuse Tommy Ward of not putting in the miles.
The world-rated super-bantamweight walked 30 miles in full PPE gear in April to raise money for NHS charities, having also provided and delivered food for NHS workers in Durham.
But the 26-year-old has been on the motorways of Scotland and England of late to prepare for a welcome return to the ring on October 17.
Ward, with 29 straight wins under his belt, is on the undercard of the bill headlined by Lewis Ritson v Miguel Vazquez and Savannah Marshall v Hannah Rankin.
The twice-postponed show is still scheduled for Newcastle though, given the current crisis, we’ll have to wait and see.
Gifted he may be, but given he has not taped up the gloves since last November, he has clocked up some miles to get some top-notch sparring.
“I’m fit and raring to go,” he told punch-lines.
“Training has gone well, despite the unusual times we’ve had this year.
“I’ve been away sparring Lee McGregor, Jack Bateson and Shabaz Masoud, which has gone well.
“Doing all the work on the pads and bag is good, but you can’t beat the sparring to get your eye back in, there’s nothing like it.
“You need plenty of rounds in when you have been out for so long, it’s been coming up a year.”
Talking of waiting, Ward has been in the World Boxing Organisation’s top four for getting on for three years, but the dazzling super-bantamweight hopes a good display on October 17.
There has been no word of an opponent, though Ward is still focusing on original name, world-rated Jose Martin Garcia.
The Mexican, rated 15 by the WBO, is that world body’s Latino champion.
“He has a good record and you know what the Mexicans are like,” said the Neil Fannan and Dave Garside boxer, who also operates under the MTK banner.
“They are tough lads who come to fight and come to win.
“He’ll be a tough opponent but I believe I have the skills to beat anyone.
“I hope another good win here will cement my place as the mandatory contender.”
The NE Security-sponsored star is working alongside Ritson in Fannan’s gym in Hartlepool and says all is going well.
“It’s all going great,” he said. “We get on really well, back each other and what’s gone on this year has only made the bond even stronger.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Tom Collins/ Hartlepool Life
