Martin Joseph Ward (born 13 July 1991) is a British professional boxer. He held the British super-featherweight title from 2016 to 2017, and the Commonwealth and European super-featherweight titles from 2017 to 2018.

Martin Joseph Ward
Born (1991-07-13) 13 July 1991 (age 33)
Leeds, England
NationalityBritish
Other namesWardy
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights28
Wins24
Wins by KO11
Losses2
Draws2

Life

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Martin Ward is the son of a builder, and one of five children.[1] Some of his brothers were boxers, including John Ward, who in 2010 was the Junior European champion in his weight class. He attended Sawyers Hall College, but left school at age 14.[1] He trains at the Repton Boxing Club in Bethnal Green.[2] In August 2012, he and his brother John Ward were shot on farmland in Essex in what Essex police called a "neighbour feud."[3] Francis O'Donoghue was sentenced to sixteen and half years for the shooting.[4]

Amateur career

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Martin Ward won the title in 2007 at the Junior European Union Championships (Cadets) of the European Union in Porto Torres in the weight class under 46 kg, just edging out Hamza Touba from Germany in points (23-22). At the Junior European Championship (Cadets) of the same year in Siofok, he earned the bronze medal. He also won a bronze at the Junior World Championship (Cadets) 2007 in Baku, where he lost in the semi-final against Elvin Isayev from Azerbaijan by points (5-18).

In 2008, he earned a silver in flyweight at the Brandenburg Cup in Frankfurt an der Oder, losing to Qualid Berlaoura from France to points (9-18). In 2009, he won another international title, the European Youth Championship (formerly Junior Championship) in Szczecin in featherweight, defeating in the final round Bunjamin Aydin from Turkey by points (4-0).

In 2010, Martin Ward became the first English featherweight champion with a points victory in the final over Ryan Farrag (18-4). Later that year he won the 1st Championship of Great Britain, where he defeated lightweight Josh Taylor from Scotland in the finals (10-9). He qualified in England for participation in the 2011 European Amateur Boxing Championships in Ankara in lightweight. He started there in lightweight, defeating Tomas Vano from Slovakia (20-6) and Ildar Vaganov from Russia (16-10) to points. His victory over Vaganov, in particular, caused a stir, but in the quarterfinals, he was defeated by Vladimir Saruhanyan from Armenia to points (15-22) and thus finished fifth.

Based on these successes, he was hopeful of being able to participate in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. However, in the 2011 World Championships in Baku he was defeated in the second round by Robson Conceição of Brazil (20-21), after being docked two points by the referee.[1] For this reason, he was not selected to participate in the Olympic Games in London.

International championships

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Year Place Competition Weight class Notes
2007 1 Junior European Union Championships (Cadets) in Porto Torres, Italy under 46 kg Points win over Erdi Alfaslan, Turkey (19-12), referee stopped contest in the first round over Alessandro Cubedau, Italy and points win over Hamza Touba, Germany (23-22)
2007 3 Junior European Championships (Cadets) in Siofok under 46 kg Points win over Catalin Gheorghe, Romania (21-20), referee stopped contest in the second round over Mikola Buzenko, Ukraine
2007 3 Junior World Championships (Cadets) in Baku under 46 kg Points victory over Robert Kanalas, Hungary (21-13) and Luis Cortes, USA (21:10) and points defeat against Elvin Isajew, Azerbaijan (5-18)
2008 2 Brandenburg-Cup (Junioren) in Frankfurt an der Oder Flyweight Points win over Alkan Özdemir, Turkey (18-5) and Dieter Geier, Germany (15-8) and points defeat against Qualid Belaoura, France (9-18)
2008 9 European Union Championship in Cetniewo Flyweight Points defeat against Kerem Guren, Turkey (12-14)
2009 1 Youth European Championship in Stettin Featherweight Points win over David Kanalas, Hungary (9-2), Wassili Tocu, Moldova (7-2), Elvin Alijew, Azerbaijan (8-0) und Bunjamin Aydin, Turkey (4-0)
2009 1 Tammer-Turnier in Tampere Featherweight Points win over Mikka Lehtinen, Finland (11-3) and Joe Ham, Scotland (9-4)
2010 1 Nations Cup in Wiener Neustadt Lightweight Points win over Ciaran Bates, Ireland (9-6) and Janosz Török, Hungary (4-2)
2010 1 British Championships in Manchester Lightweight Points win over Josh Taylor, Scotland (10-9)
2011 2 62nd Strandja-Memorial in Pazardzhik Lightweight Points win over Vage Saruhanjan, Armenia (3-2), Ildar Waganow, Russia (+1:1) and Elvin Isajew (5-3) and points defeat against Airin Ismetow, Bulgaria (2-2+)
2011 5 Gee-Bee-Tournament in Helsinki Lightweight Points defeat against David Oliver Joyce, Ireland (4-16)
2011 5 European Championship in Ankara Lightweight Points win over Tomas Vano, Slovakia (20-6) and Ildar Waganaow (16:10) and points defeat against Vladimir Saruhanyan, Armenia (15-22)
2011 17 World Championship in Baku Lightweight Points win over Dragos Marin, Romania (15-7) and points defeat against Robson Conceição of Brazil (20-21)
2011 1 London International Invitational Lightweight Points win over Eugen Burhard (10-5) in final

English championships

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Year Place Weight class Notes
2009 3 Bantamweight disqualifying loss in the semi-final against James Allen
2010 1 Featherweight points win in the final over Ryan Farrag (18-4)

International matches

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Year Place Weight class Notes
2007 Dublin Ireland vs. England (Junior) bis 46 kg points win over Neil Walker (21-4)
2008 Westport Ireland vs. England Featherweight Points defeat against Carl Frampton (14-14+)
2008 Sligo/Irland Ireland vs. England Featherweight points defeat against Willie Carey (11-11+)
2008 Gyöngyös Hungary vs. England Featherweight points win over Miklós Ráth
2008 Hajdúszoboszló Hungary vs. England Featherweight referee stopped contest in the second rough against Róbert Könnyű
2010 Stockholm Sweden vs. England Featherweight points win over Bashir Hassan (2-1)

Professional career

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He began his professional career on 8 September 2012, where he has had considerable success.

Ward vs. Boschiero

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Ward fought Devis Boschiero on 30 November 2018. Boschiero went into the fight ranked at #11 by the IBF at super featherweight. The scorecards were announced as in favor of Ward, who won by split decision.[5]

Ward vs. Amparan

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On 8 February 2020, Ward beat Jesus Amparan by points in the 10th round.[6]

Ward. vs Fuzile

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On 29 May 2021, Azinga Fuzile beat Ward by technical knockout in the 8th round. Fuzile was ranked number 5 by the IBF at super featherweight.[7]

Professional boxing record

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28 fights 24 wins 2 losses
By knockout 11 2
By decision 13 0
Draws 2
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
28 Loss 24–2–2   Azinga Fuzile TKO 7 (12), 2:55 29 May 2021   Michelob Ultra Arena, Paradise, Nevada, US
27 Win 24–1–2   Jesus Amparan PTS 10 8 Feb 2020   FlyDSA Arena, Sheffield, England
26 Win 23–1–2   Josue Bendana TKO 5 (8) 31 Aug 2019   The O2 Arena, London, England
25 Win 22–1–2   Antonio Rodriguez PTS 6 18 May 2019   SSE Hydro, Glasgow, Scotland
24 Win 21–1–2   Devis Boschiero SD 12 30 Nov 2018   Teatro Obi Hall, Florence, Italy Won vacant WBC International Silver super-featherweight title
23 Win 20–1–2   Mohammed Kambuluta KO 2 (6), 1:37 27 Oct 2018   Copper Box Arena, London, England
22 Loss 19–1–2   James Tennyson TKO 5 (12), 2:24 5 May 2018   The O2 Arena, London, England Lost European, and Commonwealth super-featherweight titles;
For WBA International super-featherweight title
21 Win 19–0–2   Juli Giner TKO 6 (12), 1:30 13 Dec 2017   York Hall, London, England Won vacant European super-featherweight title
20 Win 18–0–2   Anthony Cacace UD 12 15 Jul 2017   Wembley Arena, London, England Retained British super-featherweight title;
Won vacant Commonwealth super-featherweight title
19 Win 17–0–2   Maxi Hughes UD 12 25 Mar 2017   Manchester Arena, Manchester, England Retained British super-featherweight title
18 Win 16–0–2   Ronnie Clark UD 12 26 Nov 2016   Wembley Arena, London, England Retained British super-featherweight title
17 Win 15–0–2   Andy Townend TKO 8 (12), 0:54 10 Sep 2016   The O2 Arena, London, England Won vacant British super-featherweight title
16 Win 14–0–2   Ruddy Encarnacion UD 10 16 Apr 2016   First Direct Arena, Leeds, England Retained WBC International super-featherweight title
15 Win 13–0–2   Mario Pisanti TKO 3 (10), 2:44 30 Jan 2016   Copper Box Arena, London, England Retained WBC International super-featherweight title
14 Win 12–0–2   Sergio Blanco UD 10 1 Aug 2015   Craven Park, Hull, England Retained WBC International super-featherweight title
13 Win 11–0–2   Maxi Hughes RTD 5 (10), 3:00 11 Apr 2015   First Direct Arena, Leeds, England Won vacant WBC International super-featherweight title
12 Draw 10–0–2   Maxi Hughes MD 10 6 Dec 2014   York Hall, London, England
11 Win 10–0–1   Kakhaber Avetisian TKO 8 (8), 2:57 20 Sep 2014   Wembley Arena, London, England
10 Draw 9–0–1   Ian Bailey TD 1 (4), 1:41 31 May 2014   Wembley Stadium, London, England
9 Win 9–0   Reynaldo Cajina PTS 4 21 May 2014   First Direct Arena, Leeds, England
8 Win 8–0   Craig Woodruff TKO 4 (6), 1:36 1 Mar 2014   Scottish Exhibition Centre, Glasgow, Scotland
7 Win 7–0   Ben Wager TKO 6 (6), 0:58 14 Dec 2013   ExCel Arena, London, England
6 Win 6–0   Andy Harris TKO 3 (6), 2:30 25 May 2013   The O2 Arena, London, England
5 Win 5–0   Kevin Hanks TKO 5 (6), 0:56 9 Mar 2013   Wembley Arena, London, England
4 Win 4–0   Dougie Curran PTS 4 8 Dec 2012   Olympia, London, England
3 Win 3–0   Dan Carr PTS 4 17 Nov 2012   Capital FM Arena, Nottingham, England
2 Win 2–0   Simas Volosinas PTS 4 22 Sep 2012   Odyssey Arena, Belfast, Northern Ireland
1 Win 1–0   Kristian Laight PTS 4 8 Sep 2012   Alexandra Palace, London, England

References

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  1. ^ a b c "LOOK BACK: Navestock boxer Martin Ward looks forward to first pro bout," Brentwood Gazette, 31 August 2013
  2. ^ "British boxer Martin Ward targets place at London 2012", The Sport Review, 5 December 2011.
  3. ^ "Former GB boxer Martin Ward shot on Essex farm." BBC, 30 August 2013.
  4. ^ "Man jailed for shooting boxer Martin Ward and brother." BBC, 23 May 2014.
  5. ^ "Boschiero vs Ward - News, Tape, Ringwalk, TV, Streaming & Tickets". Box.Live. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  6. ^ "Ward vs Amparan - News, Tape, Ringwalk, TV, Streaming & Tickets". Box.Live. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  7. ^ "Ward vs Fuzile - News, Tape, Ringwalk, TV, Streaming & Tickets". Box.Live. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
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