Tommy Ward insists he will not under-estimate his substitute opponent in his first bout (and almost certainly his last) of this year.
The ultra-gifted super-bantamweight (pictured above arriving in the Matchroom bubble) takes on Thomas Essomba in Peterborough on Saturday, October 17.
Essomba has stepped in to face the unbeaten Co Durham boxer after original foe, Jose Martin Garcia, was forced to withdraw
Ex-Commonwealth champion Essomba is a known quantity, having spent much of his early career in Sunderland, just a few miles down the road from Ward’s home.
But the WBO world number three has his eyes very much focused on getting the job done at the East of England Showground.
“I really like Thomas, he’s a nice person and a very good fighter,” Ward told punch-lines.
“But this is business and I intend to get the business done on Saturday.
“I’m grateful Thomas has stepped up to the plate after Garcia had to pull out.
“Thomas is as tough as they come and he always tries his best, but I just think I have the better skills set and I’ll be too good on the night.”
While Essomba has largely campaigned between flyweight and bantam and concedes size to the 29-0 Ward, he is certainly no pushover and has a recent 12-rounder under his belt.
In fact, since the Dave Garside and Neil Fannan boxer’s 29th win, back in November in Dubai, Essomba has boxed twice, stopping Kazakhstan’s KO king Iskander Kharsan in three rounds on his own patch, before being outpointed by Sunny Edwards in London just seven weeks ago for the IBF super-flyweight belt.
Previous to that, the 33-year-old had ended Sean McGoldrick’s 100 per cent record when he won the WBA continental bantamweight strap in Liverpool.
“I haven’t seen those fights but I’ve been told about them,” said the NE Security-sponsored boxer.
“He’s had some good wins and Thomas is a tough customer.
“If I’m not on the ball, he can cause problems.”
Ward is safely installed in the Matchroom bubble in Peterborough, having taken the covid test on arrival.
The 26-year-old is part of a large North-East contingent at the Holiday Inn, including team-mate Lewis Ritson, who defends his WBA inter-continental title against Miguel Vazquez, while Hartlepool’s Savannah Marshall meets Hannah Rankin for the vacant WBO middleweight championship.
‘Benwell Bomber’ Joe Laws is in action over six rounds with a battle against another unbeaten light-welter, Rylan Charlton.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Mark Robinson/ Matchroom
