Joe Ward dominates Youth Olympic champion to score second WSB win
Joe Ward eased to his second win of the season in the World Series of Boxing tonight.
The Moate light heavyweight, representing the British Lionhearts, was in action in Milan versus the Italia Thunder.
Ward dominated and defeated Olympic Youth champion Blagoy Naydenov (50-45 x3) to seal an away win for the Lionheats.
The wide victory saw Ward’s side pull away to a 3-1 lead, which ended at 4-1, and guaranteed overall victory.
Ward hurt and staggered the Bulgarian youngster throughout and said afterward that “I was always in control.”
“The guy was very passive, it was never in doubt. I probably won that fight at 50%, cruising. I’m looking forward to the next fight against the French, they’ll be more of a threat.”
The result brings Ward’s overall WSB record to 7 wins and 1 loss.
Powerful left hook from @Brit_Lionhearts Joseph Ward knocking @ItaliaThunder Blagoy Naydenov off balance and putting him on the back foot!#WSB8 #Boxing pic.twitter.com/5fcQjoqfba
— World Series Boxing (@WSB_Boxing) March 16, 2018
@Brit_Lionhearts Joseph Ward forcing @ItaliaThunder Blagoy Naydenov into the corner finishing the second round strongly.#WSB8 #Boxing pic.twitter.com/ihaUYZXzFX
— World Series Boxing (@WSB_Boxing) March 16, 2018
Joseph Ward sealing the victory then for the @Brit_Lionhearts weathering the storm that Blagoy Naydenov and the @ItaliaThunder had to throw at them.#WSB8 #Boxing pic.twitter.com/V2Z7G4kKvv
— World Series Boxing (@WSB_Boxing) March 16, 2018
A third win of the season – from four fight nights – for the Lionhearts, they remain in second place in the group behind the French Fighting Roosters.
The Roosters were responsible or the Lionhearts sole loss in the opening fixture of Season 8 in Paris. The return leg, which will feature Ward’s 81kg class, will take place on a to-be-confirmed date in April in Newport Wales.
Ward is likely to face Bakary Diabira in this fixture, a three-time French champion and EU bronze medalist.
Holy Trinity lightweight Sean Duffy is the only other Irish boxer involved currently in the World Series of Boxing. The Commonwealth bronze medalist is also signed to the British Lionhearts but is yet to appear this season.
