Tommy Ward believes now is his time to make a major breakthrough at featherweight.
The opportunity is there for the 27-year-old when Probellum and Phil Jeffries stage his eagerly-awaited WBA top 15 confrontation with Leonardo Padilla on Saturday, December 18 at Houghton.
Ward v Padilla had been scheduled for November 13, only for the unbeaten Dave Garside and Neil Fannan star to suffer a cut in training.
But he told punch-lines he is ready to take on the hard-hitting 26-year-old, from Venezuela.
Padilla is rated at number four by the World Boxing Association and with Ward ranked 12th by the same sanctioning body, so you don’t need to be a mathematician of Rachel Riley or Carol Vorderman’s calibre to work out what a win could do for the Co Durham man’s position in the global standings.
Tommy spent the best part of four years in the top bracket at super-bantamweight, where he won the British championship and two notable international belts.
Only the big contests are now of interest to him.
“I’ve had 31 fights, my days of fighting journeymen are gone, I want world titles now,” said Ward.
“I do think it’s my time – I was British champion four years ago and since then have won the IBF European belt and the NABA title in America.
“I’ve won titles and had good fights along the way but it is now my opportunity to put my stamp on the world level at featherweight.
“Now is my time to do it, this is a fantastic platform for me at Rainton on December 18.”
Ward has made a habit in his career of making hard assignments look easy but this will certainly test the skill and mettle.
Padilla is widely travelled, having boxed in Mexico, Spain, Colombia and Russia in a career which has brought him 20 wins, 14 via stoppage, and only three losses.
While Tommy does not watch his opponent in the build up to fights – he leaves that to his expert coach Fannan – he is aware of the South American’s heavy artillery.
“He is a puncher, so I know it is going to be a case of being on the ball and not get caught with anything silly,” said the NE Security-sponsored boxer.
“I’m expecting a hard fight, he’s a good fighter, but I’m a good fighter too, so may the best man win on the night.”
Ward is excited to be sharing the stage with his old team-mate, Lewis Ritson, former world champion Ricky Burns and a host of North-East talent and says he has recovered quickly from his injury.
“I always seem to get cut,” smiled Ward. “But it’s all healed up nice.
“I’m very pleased to have been included in a show like this with a lot of the North-East’s top boys.
“I’m really looking forward to it.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Mark Robinson/ Matchroom
