Joe Ward marches on with win over unbeaten opponent at Zuffa Boxing event in Dublin

Joe Ward took a step forward in his professional boxing career this evening (Saturday) when he recorded a unanimous points decision victory over the previously undefeated Artjom Kasparian on the first Zuffa Boxing show to be held in Ireland.

The Westmeath light-heavyweight won by scores of 97-93 (twice) and 96-94 after ten bruising rounds at Dublin's 3Arena.

It was a night of many firsts for the 32-year-old Moate native. His first time boxing ten rounds. His first time facing an unbeaten professional opponent. His first time boxing in the 3Arena. And his first time stepping into the ring as a Zuffa Boxing fighter.

Furthermore, he was coming off a long period of inactivity, having last boxed 659 days earlier, in October 2024.

Ward settled into the fight well, looking comfortable and sharp in the early exchanges against Kasparian, a Russian-born, English based, fighter who entered the ring with a record of 14 wins and no defeats (12 wins by KO).

Kasparian began to have more success in the third and fourth rounds, and by the fifth it appeared stamina might be a concern for Ward, who looked to be feeling the pace after his lengthy absence from the ring.

However, the local man then demonstrated why he was a top-class amateur and why he believes he can mix it with the best in the world as a professional.

He rallied to win the sixth round on all three judges' cards, before then going on to have his best round of the fight. He landed a huge uppercut in the seventh and followed it up with a flurry of combination punching that rocked Kasparian.

By this stage, it was Kasparian who was looking the more tired of the two, and Ward used his ring smarts to good effect, landing the cleaner and more effective punches during the closing rounds to deservedly claim an important victory.

The result means Ward's pro record now stands at 13 wins and one defeat (8 KOs).

You can watch brief highlights of the fight here: