Tommy Ward’s devotion and love to boxing have in no way diminished. It’s the same with his ambition.
One of the most naturally-gifted boxers to come out of the North-East, EVER, Ward is hard at it in Neil Fannan’s Hartlepool gym as he eyes a return to the ring at some point in the second half of this year.
The 29-year-old saw his incredible unbeaten run end at 34 bouts back in March, when he was stopped inside five rounds by the destructive Otabek Kholmatov in their WBA world title eliminator.
Ward had spent somewhere in the region of five years in the top echelon of the super-bantamweight and featherweight divisions and his goal of a shot at world championship glory remains as strong as ever.
Fannan who, along with manager Dave Garside, has guided Tommy throughout his career, says Team Ward will continue with Disrupt Promotions, the company which took over the reins from Probellum.
“Tommy’s training hard and we’re just awaiting a date,” the coach told punch-lines.
“Hopefully that will come soon.
“Tommy is just as determined as ever. He and Nathan [Forrest] had a real, real hard session last night.
“He loves boxing as much as ever and it has not been dented one bit.”
Disrupt have yet to promote in the UK – so far they have staged an event in Uzbekistan in June and are promoting in Dubai this weekend, when former Ward foe, Jazza Dickens, faces Argentina’s Hector Sosa for the IBO featherweight belt.
A major Disrupt promotion is scheduled for September 1 in Denmark, but the lure of a potential return to Newcastle is a major pull explained Fannan.
“We didn’t get the result we wanted [in March] but they got us that fight,” he said.
“Whoever was promoting Tommy we’d probably still only have one more fight this year so we might as well stay with them.”
Ward’s defeat to the unbeaten Florida-based Uzbekistan phenomenon has left him in only one sanctioning body’s top 15, he’s rated at 12 with the WBA, with Fannan insisting the route back must be an instant one against a top 10 opponent.
“We need to get someone to move us back up,” he said. “We’re not after an easy fight.”
Fannan told punch-lines that while the NES SEcurity-sponsored boxer remains as focused as he’s ever been, his own morale has taken a knock.
“The only one in the gym whose love has been dented is me, watching boxing fall into disrepute,” he admitted.
“No wonder stuff like UFC and bare-knuckle-boxing has taken off – professional boxing is going back further than ever.
“No-one wants to fight anyone. I know money is a big thing, but where is the pride in wanting the best fights?
“Boxing is in a dark place and its reputation is shot.
“I’ve been a massive Tyson Fury fan since he came into my gym as an 18-year-old lad to spar Chris Burton, but he’s fighting Francis Ngannou, who’s never had a fight.
“Not that long ago, Fury v Joshua was made but then Wilder exercised a re-match clause and it was off. Just give up the belt and give all British fans the fight they want to see.”
He might have heavyweight frustration, but featherweight promise will drive Fannan on.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Tom Collins
