Hennessy Boxing: Ward Looks To Rebound From Controversial Debut

Bobby “Boogaloo” Ward will finally look to get his first win in the pro ranks when he takes to the ring in London next month.

Ward was left bitterly disappointed in Wigan earlier this month after an impressive pro debut was tainted when his bout with Mo Khaled was deemed a draw by referee Michael Alexander.

The result shocked Ward and ITV’s commentary team of John Rawling, Duke Duke McKenzie and Barry McGuigan who all expressed their disbelief at the verdict.

Ward will hope for better luck when he appears at the York Hall, Bethnal Green on July 18th on the undercard to the Danny McIntosh – Nathan Cleverly British title fight.

The Hennessy Sports event is live on ITV and promoter Mick Hennessy revealed that he was particularly impressed with Ward’s first pro outing.

“It was one of the most impressive pro debuts I’ve seen combined with one of the worst decisions I’ve seen,” said Hennessy.

“Ward won the fight hands down and even Khaled’s corner admitted that. I think Bobby has a really bright future in the sport and he’s going to be a real fans favourite because he’s got such an exciting style.”

Ward’s trainer Tony Sims echoed Hennessy’s thoughts. “I still can’t figure out how the referee could score that fight a draw,” said Sims.

“Bobby won the first three rounds easily and the second and third rounds were especially big for him. The only thing you could have given Khaled was possibly a share of the fourth round.

“In the third he had Khaled in real trouble and was probably only 2 or 3 punches away from finishing the fight when Khaled just went into a crouch and the referee broke them up for no reason. It gave him time to recover and the referee just waved the fight on again and the bell went before Bobby could finish the job.

“There was no reason for the referee to break them at that point, that’s something you see in the amateur game, not in the pros and I believe it cost Bobby a stoppage win.”

Despite his frustration at the decision Sims is excited by what he’s seen from his new protégé. “It’s early days yet but he’s a real talent. He worked very hard and he shed 2 and a half stone since coming back into the gym. He has bags of ability and that was his first fight in over 5 years so I think there is an awful lot more to come from him.”

Sims revealed that Ward’s spirits were lifted by a visit from Junior Witter to his dressing room after the fight.

“Junior told Bobby that he had won the fight easily but told him not to lose heart because he drew his first pro fight as well and it didn’t stop him from going on to win British, Commonwealth, European and World titles.”

A clash of unbeaten fighters tops the bill at the York Hall on July 18th with Danny McIntosh and Nathan Cleverly squaring off for the British Light Heavyweight title.

An action packed undercard at the York Hall features former British and European Lightweight Champ Jon Thaxton, unbeaten Heavyweight sensation Tyson Fury and contests featuring hot prospects Steve O’Meara, Dwayne Lewis, Bradley Evans, Del Rogers as well as Bobby Ward.

Tickets priced from £35 are available from the Ticketline box office on 0844 888 4402 or via www.ticketline.co.uk