Not your average debut for ‘not your average fighter’ – Joe Ward handed exciting pro bow

Joe Ward has will debut on a major American bill in early October.

The former amateur sensation, will make his pro bow on the undercard of Gennady Golovkin’s eagerly anticipated IBF middleweight world title defense against Sergey Derevyanchenko at Madison Square Garden, New York, on 5 October.

It’s the perfect venue and an ideal card for the 25-year-old to punch for pay for the first time.

Not only will the Moate BC graduate get the chance to appear at ‘The Mecca of Boxing’, but will potentially fight live on DAZN and Sky Sports, both of which should help him make a high profile introduction to the paid ranks.

An opponent has yet to be confirmed, but whilst in Dublin earlier this month to officially announce he was turning pro, it was intimated the three time European champion and three time World medal winner would debut in a six rounder.

The Irish press were also told Ward wouldn’t be handed a gimme first time out.

Ward signed a management agreement with Times Square Boxing and will be co promoted by Lou DiBella and Ken Casey of Murphys Boxing – and  DiBella is adamant we won’t see the debut of an average talent on the big Matchroom card.

“Joe is not your average fighter — not your average Irish fighter, not your average fighter period,” DiBella told the Irish press earlier this month.

“He’s a tremendously talented young man; he’s got the whole package: he’s bright, he’s good-looking, he’s well-spoken, he’s a family man. He has everything it takes to be a superstar outside of the ring, and inside of the ring he can punch, he can fight, and his record is impeccable.”

Ward is training in Ireland at present with Jimmy Payne. However he is expected to travel Stateside for the remainder of the camp where he will link up with Buddy McGirt.

The triple European gold medallist is also likely, according to DiBella, to have his second pro fight shortly after October 5th to make the most of his transatlantic trip.