Steven Ward secures September step up

Steven Ward [4(1)-0] has been handed a step-up for his fifth professional fight in two weeks time.

The Newtownabbey light heavyweight features on the September 16th Ginley Promotions card at The Devenish Complex on the Finaghy Road in Belfast and will face a former Area champion on the cracking small hall show.

It has been announced that Ward will face Sheffield fighter Carl ‘Born 2 B’ Wild [15(1)-27(9)].

After losing to Darren Stubbs for the BBBoC Central Area title in 2009, Wild claimed the belt in 2012 with a win over James Tucker and had a successful defence against John Anthony before losing the strap against Matty Clarkson the following year.

The Steel City 31 year old has faced a who’s who of domestic talents, going the distance against the likes of Ricky Summers, Luke Blackledge, Hosea Burton, Bob Ajisafe, and Courtney Fry, while he has been stopped by Enzo Maccarinelli, Martin Murray, and Kenny Anderson. This year he caused a shock when he outpointed 2-0 prospect Mickey Ellison over four in April.

For Ward it is a second successive small step up the ladder. Last time out, in June at the Waterfront Hall, ‘The Quiet Man’ faced aggressive Hungarian Istvan Orsos and scored his maiden stoppage.

The third well-matched fight announced for the bill, Belfast light welter Anto Upton will face Innocent Anyanwu, while Dublin heavyweight Sean Turner has a rematch with strong Pole Kamil Sokolowski.

Also on the bill with opponents to be confirmed shortly are Stevie Collins, Tyrone McKenna, Marco McCullough, , Tyrone McCullagh, Davey Oliver Joyce, and debutant Gary Cully.

Tickets costing £35/€40 and £65/€75 are available from the boxers involved.