DiBella hopes to get Ward’s defeat changed to no contest

Promoter Lou DiBella will lobby to have the status of Joe Ward’s debut result changed.

Ireland’s most decorated amateur was looking to register an eye catching victory on a high profile Matchroom USA, DAZN broadcast card.

However, he suffered a nightmare defeat in dream debut venue, Madison Square Garden.

Ward collapsed to the canvas in the second round and was unable to fight on , as a result the referee awarded TKO victory to the light heavyweight’s opponent Marco Delgado.

The result now means the Moate fighters record reads 0-0-1 and his debut has gone down as a defeat.

It is harsh considering the Californian wasn’t the reason behind Ward’s demise. The Irish fighter dislocated his knee in the second stanza and was the victim of injury rather than a victim of Delgado.

As a result New York promoter DiBella will look to have the result change.

The promoter, who works with Ken Casey and Times Square management with regard to Ward’s career, revealed he has the option to appeal to the New York State commission.

DiBella will request a review and lodging an appeal to make the Ward loss an no-contest.

“It’s a discretionary call. When they see there was no contact whatsoever, I’m hoping we can get it changed to a no-contest,” DiBella said last night.

While the full prognosis of his injury is currently unknown, many will be casting their minds back to the 2013 European Championships where Ward was eliminated after dislocating his left kneecap versus Mateusz Tryc.

This was a rare loss during a vested career which saw the 25-year-old claim three European titles and three World Championships medals.

Turning pro with high expectations, Ward has been dealt a significant blow and unless DiBella’s appeal is successful he will now have to build from a 0-1(1) starting point.

Yet while it may appear a disastrous start at first glance, it has to be noted injury rather than any talent deficiency is what cost him a debut win.

DiBella was also vocal about the main event claiming Sergiy Derevyanchenko, deserved the nod in a close world title fight with Gennady Golovkin.

“[He was] punishing GGG, while he was fighting, blood pouring down his face. And by the way, credit to a great cutman in there, because that was incredible work,” DiBella said. “I feel terrible for him, because — I’m not gonna use the ‘robbery’ word, but I know who won the fight. I know who won the fight.”