Tommy Ward hopes if he carries on winning he will force his way to a world title shot.
The undefeated Co Durham talent is keeping his fingers crossed for a championship eliminator at Probellum’s big North-East date on Friday, March 25 in Newcastle.
Having spent over three years in the top strata at super-bantamweight without getting a title opening, Ward has established himself in the top 10 of the World Boxing Association’s ratings.
His dazzling victory over Leonardo Padilla on the Probellum/ Phil Jeffries event at Houghton in December (pictured above) has already lifted him up to number four.
“Obviously, none of these champions are going to choose to fight me,” said Ward.
“I’ve been world ranked for a long time and not one of them have gone for me.
“I think we’re going to have to force their hand a little bit, so hopefully a final eliminator can be arranged and I’ll bash him up before bashing the champion up!”
The Neil Fannan and Dave Garside boxer was in relaxed mood when punch-lines caught up with him at Fanno’s Hartlepool gym.
Anyone bold enough to say Ward had had his day having watched his bloody draw with old North-East neighbour Thomas Essomba on the Lewis Ritson-Miguel Vazquez undercard towards the back end of 2020 will have had to revise opinions after his form in 2021.
Stepping up to featherweight, the 27-year-old has put in excellent back-to-back performances, first against Edy Valencia Mercado at the Eagles Arena in June and then Padilla at Rainton Meadows.
Padilla, the Venezuelan with a high KO ratio, barely landed a glove Ward who was simply punch-perfect on the night for his 31st career success.
“I was always confident I’d do featherweight all right,” said the NE Security-sponsored man.
“It’s a better weight for me to fight at – I feel stronger, I feel happier at this weight.
“I used to think those four pounds wouldn’t make a difference, but it does.
“But those last four pounds when getting down to super-bantam took that little bit too much out of you and was hard to fully recover from.
“When that happens it’s hard to give your best performances.
“Given I’m happy at this weight I think you’ll see the good performances.
“My fitness has always been good and now I’m comfortable and happy at the weight I’ll do 15 rounds, 20 if you want.”
He won’t be required to do 20 rounds at the Utilita Arena on March 25, when Ritson, Olympic silver medalist Pat McCormack and Mark Dickinson will be part of the event.
“We had a fortnight off after my last night which covered Christmas and New Year, which was nice but we’ve been back in since and stepping it up and getting harder week by week,” said Tommy.
“It’s a fantastic bill with some great talent on it and I’m really looking forward to it.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Jennifer Charlton
