Ward looks ahead to 2022 after ruthless win in New York

Joe Ward said he was excited about the opportunities next year could bring for his boxing career after he recorded a first round TKO victory against Britton Norwood at Madison Square Garden last weekend.

Norwood was making his first appearance at the world-famous arena, but there would be no Fairytale of New York for the Mississippi man who was simply outclassed in a fight that lasted just 95 seconds.

Ward returned home to Moate last Monday after a successful few months in North America. His bouts in New York last month and last weekend added two more wins to a professional record which now stands at six wins and one defeat (three technical knockouts).

During his amateur career Ward was known more for skills and ringcraft than punching power, but he said his work in the gym in order to adapt to a more professional style was paying dividends.

"As an amateur I was more of a slick boxer, a mover, but now that I'm in the pro game I’m making adjustments," he said on Monday.

"Myself and (coaches) Joey Gamache and Jimmy Payne have been adapting to certain things, and working on them in the gym. I’m glad it's paying off, but I still have a lot more to work on to become a better fighter."

The bout on Saturday, which was broadcast in the US on ESPN+, was Ward’s first appearance in the main Madison Square Garden arena since a disastrous professional debut in which he suffered a dislocated knee in October 2019.

He told the Westmeath Independent he was glad he got to put those memories to bed at the weekend.

"I was excited about getting back into the main Garden arena because of what happened in my debut," he said.

"Going through that walk into the ring brought back a lot of memories, so to be able to get back in there, and be ruthless, was really satisfying."

The fight was barely a minute old when Norwood was visibly winded by a vicious right hook to the body. A one-two combination then sent the American to the canvas.

"The body shot opened it all up," Ward recalled. "I followed it up with a straight one-two, with the left hand causing the damage, to score a knockdown."

Norwood rose, but he was instantly wobbled by a straight right and, as he slumped back against the ropes, another onslaught from Ward prompted the referee to step in and stop the fight.

The local 28-year-old looked razor-sharp, which was something he attributed to the quality of sparring he was getting in the gym in New York.

He said he had learned a lot in recent months “just by being in that environment, and getting to know what's required of you as a person and as a fighter.”

All four of the Westmeath man's fights this year were scheduled for six rounds, but he is now aiming to move up to eight and ten-round bouts in 2022.

He is hoping his next fight will be on an Irish-themed boxing night in New York around St Patrick’s Day.

"I have a good team around me and they're going to give me the right opportunities. Paddy's weekend is a big opportunity, and there will hopefully be another big one in April," he said.

"It's nice to get home, to spend some time at home, enjoy the Christmas, and then I'll get back to business in January."

His ultimate goal is to become a world champion. "By 2023, all going well, I should be knocking on the door," he concluded.