Joe Ward ready for the biggest nine minutes of his career
Joe Ward believes he is ready for nine minutes that could shape his career tonight.
The Moat teenager fights to keep his Olympic dream alive as he takes on Ireland’s most decorated domestic amateur, Kenny Egan in the National Elite light heavyweight final.
The repeat of last years light heavyweight decider is the certainly the most eagerly anticipated of all the finals in the National Stadium this evening.
Ward is aware the stakes couldn’t be higher but the World Youth Champion is confident he can beat the 2008 Beijing silver medallist for a second year running. The West Meath powerhouse is determined not to let a ‘once in a lifetime opportunity slip by.
“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me, and I intend to take it. It is going to be the biggest nine minutes of my boxing career. If I want to continue my bid for the Olympics, I simply have to win on Friday. The stakes are high. I’m really looking forward to getting in the ring and taking on Kenny Egan. Obviously, I beat Egan in last year’s final, but that will count for very little on Friday,” Ward explained to his local paper The Westmeath
“I just want to perform to the best of my ability, and I know I have the right tools to beat Egan. I just have to make sure I put all those tools in my tool-box on Friday.”
