Getting back among the world elite.
That is the aim for gifted boxer Tommy Ward this Saturday when he fights for the vacant WBA Inter-continental featherweight title against unbeaten Welshman Rhys Edwards.
Ward is going to have to do it the hard way – he will be in his opponent’s backyard in Cardiff where Wales is anticipating an historic night with Lauren Price challenging for the world championship against Jessica McCaskill on the same event.
Promoters BOXXER have chosen the man who has spent his entire career in Hartlepool as the opponent for the 24-year-old, a man very much on the way up.
But Ward is motivated by the opportunity of regaining a foothold in the featherweight division again, just 14 months after losing his WBA world championship final eliminator to Otabek Kholmatov in Newcastle.
“I’ve always said I’ll fight anyone, anywhere,” said the 29-year-old Dave Garside and Neil Fannan boxer.
“A ring is a ring to me, we still have a referee and three judges, wherever it is.
“I’m happy, it’s a great chance and it’s a big platform. I’m looking forward to it.”
Ward went into his clash with powerhouse Kholmatov as the WBA’s number one-rated featherweight and boasting the joint longest unbeaten run of a UK boxer, equal with Tyson Fury.
Now the star with an excellent 34-1-1 fight log is on the road back and while a victory in Wales this weekend in front of the Sky Sports cameras will not reclaim that number one position, it would move him back up the ratings, certainly with the WBA.
“Rhys is a good, unbeaten kid coming through and he’s had some decent wins,” said Ward, who has trained hard in Fannan’s Brierton gym.
“I do believe I’m world class and a win in Cardiff will get me back to where I think I belong.
“I intend showing Tommy Ward is world class and should be fighting world-class people.”
Ward is highly respectful of Edwards, who has won all 15 of his bouts, including five inside the distance.
The Co Durham talent is the highest-rated opponent the fighter from Penygraig in the Rhondda Valley has come up against, but he is intent on showing he has still got what it takes.
“I’ll be the best boxer he has fought but Rhys is unbeaten so no-one knows how good he really is, so that’s got to be factored in,” he explained.
“He is good, but I do believe I’m world class. On my day, if I turn up I’m confident of beating anyone.
“If I get a good win in Cardiff, I want to be fighting the champions, final eliminators or world-class fights.
“I believe that’s where I belong.”
Ward has had the benefit of an eight-round win under his belt in March in Houghton, where he outpointed African Amani Bariki – his first outing since the Kholmatov fifth-round defeat.
“It was just nice to get back in there after a year out and shrug off the cobwebs,” said the NES Security-sponsored boxer.
“I have to be honest, I did feel a bit rusty when I was in there.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Tom Collins
