Gifted Tommy Ward is to make his return to the boxing ring – almost exactly a year since his first career defeat.
The 29-year-old is to take on African fighter Armani Bariki on the bumper Jobes Boxing event in Houghton on Saturday, March 16.
It will be the Neil Fannan-trained featherweight’s first appearance since defeat in his WBA championship final eliminator in Newcastle last March.
Ward’s long and proud undefeated record of 34 contests (an unbeaten sequence equalled in Great Britain only by Tyson Fury) was ended by a fifth-round stoppage by big-hitting Uzbekistan fighter Otabek Kholmatov at the Utilita Arena.
It proved a brave effort against the Florida-based giant’s frightening power with the Uzbek just weeks away from a shot at the vacant WBA world title against USA’s Raymond Ford on March 2.
Fannan told Life that the upcoming eight-rounder for Tommy will be the opening steps of his comeback.
Bariki, from Tanzania, is a respected opponent with 13 wins and two draws on a 19-fight record, with seven of his victories coming inside the distance.
“He’s probably what you describe as a typical African fighter,” said Fannan.
“He seems a biggish lad, who likes his looping shots and looks dangerous.
“It’s a good fight and I’m happy with it – it’s not just a turn up and win job.
“But I’m very confident. I have no doubts about Tommy, he just has to get going again and this is the start.”
Ward spent an age in the top echelon, first as a super-bantamweight and then at feather and not just in one sanctioning body, but in all the big ones.
It’s now about getting back into those top 15s.
“He is still world class in my opinion,” added Fannan. “He is just as good after his last fight as he was before his last fight.
“Tommy has not been out of the gym. We had been holding on [for a bigger opportunity] but with nothing coming we decided to get out on a smaller show.
“I’m excited to see him box again and only then we’ll look at where we go next.”
Ward, managed by Hartlepool fight figure Dave Garside, has an outstanding fight log of 33 wins and a draw, with that solitary defeat, in a division which features considerable GB talent.
The NES Security-sponsored boxer will be joined on the bill at the Rainton Arena by Fannan team-mate Nathan Forrest, who has a big contest of his own.
Forrest is taking on Spennymoor’s Kai Richmond for the vacant Northern Area lightweight title.
It looks a belter between two South Durham men on the way up – Richmond has four wins (two early) and a defeat on his record while Forrest has six straight victories.
The bill also features Sam Menzies, Bobby Dalton, Callum Walton, Robbie Colman, Callum Fenwick, Ali Shah and Owen Rees.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Jennifer Charlton
