‘Time for a big fight now’ – Steven Ward ready to step it up

“The Quiet Man’ is ready to make some light heavyweight noise and wants a ‘big fight’ next.

Steven Ward [11(4)-0] added another win to his résumé on his York Hall debut on Friday night and feels now is the time to move onto the next level.

The Newtownabbey fighter has one notable win on his record in the form of a BUI Celtic title triumph over Steve Collins Jr last August but for the most part has been comfortable winning learning fights.

Now with two quickfire 2019 wins under his belt, the 29-year-old is predicting an exciting year and possibly a big fight next.

“I feel like it’s time for a big fight now,” he said after his dominant fifth-round stoppage win over Bulgarian journeyman Abdula Arabie. 

“I feel like I am up there domestically. I am ready for a big year,” he added when speaking to IFL TV.

“Hopefully we I have a couple of big fights coming up.”

After being added to Friday’s card at the York Hall at quite short notice, many have deduced that there is something big around the corner.

Indeed, with a new show confirmed for the Ulster Hall on June 21st it would seem a near certainty that Ward will feature prominently – especially considering that he is not scheduled to appear on the bill at the same venue on May 17th.

READ: New Belfast show confirmed – Huge headline fight

Friday looked to be an opportunity to get more rounds in beforehand but the fighter himself continued to live up to his ring moniker and stayed quiet in terms of ‘what’s next?’ specifics.

However, the Jamie Moore-trained fighter did claim he feels ready for the next level and is hoping for a big year.

“This is where my weakness is, this is where I am called the boring quiet man Ward,” he joked.

The British title is currently held by Olympian Joshua Buatsi following his win over Liam Conroy and seems an unlikely route while the BBBoC Celtic title will be contested by Welshman Nathan Thorley and Mullingar’s Paddy McDonagh.

The Commonwealth belt is vacant and appealing, while there are any number of rankings titles that are available to fight for.

Ward is leaving things to his team.

“There are lots of people I would love to fight but I have enough faith and confidence in my management MTK they will put me in with whoever they think. I feel ready for whoever they say and I am looking forward to an exciting year.”