Tommy Ward is to spearhead a major night of North East boxing.
The unbeaten 27-year-old will look to make in-roads of the featherweight division on Saturday, November 13, when Phil Jeffries stages another high-profile show at Houghton, in association with MTK Global.
Ward, the winner of 30 of his 31 bouts, will top a bill which includes top North-East talent and prospects (in alphabetical order) Jordan Barker-Porter, Adam Cope, Joe Laws, Ewan McKenzie, Sam Menzies, Joe Maphosa and Terence Wilkinson.
It is exciting news for Ward and manager, Dave Garside, and coach, Neil Fannan, who punch-lines reported last December were changing tack after a staggering four years in the WBO’s top four at super-bantam.
“We’re hoping for a big night for Tommy,” said Fannan.
“We’re expecting to go up a level here and hopefully fight for an intercontinental title.
“It’s important he gets a good featherweight ranking from this.”
Given his last performance on the Sky Sports show in Newcastle in June, anticipation is high for his appearance at Rainton Arena.
Ward dazzled in a unanimous points triumph over Eddy Valencia Mercado at the Vertu Motors Arena.
“It was a tough fight on paper,” explained Fannan. “But Tommy made a hard task look easy.
“He’s looking champion.”
That win over the Mexican was the perfect response from the gifted Hartlepool-trained boxer after the loss of his 100 per cent run last October when he drew with old North-East neighbour Thomas Essomba in Peterborough.
“Since he first came to my gym as a 17 and a half year old, that’s the worst I’ve ever seen him,” said Fannan.
“But I knew he was never on the slide.
“He never gets hit so he’s as fresh as the day he started. I have no concerns in that department.
“Ultimately, Tommy needs a fight with a bit of fear, look at how he boxed in America against Jesse Hernandez a couple of years back.
“When Tommy has to turn it on, he’ll turn it on.”
The show will mark a quick return for Maphosa following his defeat to Craig Derbyshire for the English title last month at the same Rainton ring where Barker-Porter and McKenzie made winning debuts.
It’s great to see Laws back inside the ropes after boxing on the Lewis Ritson-Jeremias Ponce undercard in Newcastle in June, while Cope and Menzies, having seen their comeback appearances cancelled last month, get to box on an event shown in the UK on IFL TV and beamed around the world by ESPN+.
Several MTK-managed boxers are also likely to box on the show.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Mark Robinson/ Matchroom
