Tommy Ward’s genius inside the boxing ring is without to question, so too his patience outside it.
Having spent what already feels like a lifetime inside the top bracket at super-bantamweight, the 27-year-old must now make the breakthrough at featherweight.
And his opportunity to do just that is almost here.
Ward will meet the World Boxing Association’s fifth rated featherweight Leonardo Padilla over 10 rounds at Houghton on Saturday, November 13.
The Co Durham boxer, trained in Hartlepool by Neil Fannan and managed by Dave Garside, has a ranking of 11 with the WBA, whose ‘regular’ world champion is an Englishman, Leigh Wood, from Nottinghamshire.
While Ward v Padilla is NOT a world title eliminator, it is a very significant contest and gives Tommy the chance to burst into the top 10.
“He’s world-ranked higher than me so if I beat him then I’d expect our positions to switch,” Ward told punch-lines.
“If I win it’s a big step forward for me, it’s a good fight to move me closer to a world title shot.
“That’s the ambition, but I’m not getting my hopes up – I’ve had to be patient for a long time so I don’t see the problem of showing a bit more patience.
“The dream is to be world champion but these are the fights that must be won first.
“So my sole focus is on winning on November 13th and the taking things from there.”
It won’t be easy at the Rainton Arena. Padilla is a serious player, having won 20 of his 23 contests, with all but six of his victories coming early.
The 26-year-old, from Venezuala, an eight-round points winner in Mexico against Jesus Ayala last time out, is well travelled, having also boxed in Spain, Colombia and Russia over the last few years – a visit to North-East England is unlikely to faze him.
“As you know I don’t watch my opponents, I leave that to Fanno,” said the NE Security-sponsored talent.
“But he sounds a real handful and someone that can punch so I’m definitely going to have to be on the ball for this one.
“I go into every fight expecting it to be hard and I know Leonardo Padilla is going to come here and give his all.”
Ward goes into the show promoted by Phil Jeffries in association with MTK Global, with an impressive eight-round win in the summer to his credit, having outpointed Edy Valencia Mercado in Newcastle in June, the 30th success of a 31-fight career.
This international battle could be one to savour, but there is also a North-East derby on on the event which looks a belter as Newcastle’s Terence Wilkinson faces Jordan Ellison, from Seaham, for the Northern Area title.
Joe Maphosa is back in action after his defeat to Craig Derbyshire for the English super-flyweight title while there are bouts for Adam Cope, Joe Laws, Sam Menzies and Jordan Barker-Porter, plus a pro debut for Newcastle’s Nathan Cummiskey.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Mark Robinson/ Matchroom
