Joe Ward promises a 'mighty' performance in Donegal show

‘Mighty’ Joe Ward is promising to light up professional boxing’s long-awaited return to Donegal this weekend.

The Moate southpaw has a long-awaited return of his own. Ward fights in Ireland for the first time as a professional on Saturday night.

Ward goes against Prince Oko Narty from Ghana in an eight-round dust up at the Aura Leisure Complex, as part of the Rumble In The Hills card.

“The Irish people know what to expect from me - a ruthless performance,” Ward said ahead of the Elite Sheer show, for whom his former Irish team-mate Jason Quigley is a central figure.

Ward touched the scales at 79.7kgs on Friday, the Westmeath light-heavyweight looking in pristine condition ahead of his clash with Narty, who was 78.15kgs when he took to the stage at the Letterkenny Shopping Centre.

Ward is one of Ireland’s most successful amateurs of all time. In the Irish vest, Ward won three European golds as well as two World silvers and a World bronze.

A 2016 Olympian, Ward flipped to the pro ranks, opting against going for another Olympic run in Tokyo. A freak injury - a dislocated knee - during the second round of his pro debut against Marco Delgado remains the only loss of a professional career he now wants to launch into a new orbit.

Ward, who will have two-weight world champion Joey Gamache in his corner alongside Jimmy Payne, said:  “I need to build momentum now and put myself in a situation where big fights will happen.

“To be able to headline my homecoming is very special. I’m looking forward to building momentum from here on in. I got an unfortunate injury but I’m back now and I’m ready for the big tests ahead.”

Ward has already touted European light heavyweight champ Dan Azeez, IBO world light heavyweight title holder Lyndon Arthur and Joshua Buatsi as opponents he’s eyeing up.

First, though, he has to navigate a possibly tricky opponent in Narty, who has won eleven - ten of them inside the distance - and lost one of his 12 fights.

Ward said: “This is a stepping stone for me to get to the best light heavy in the world. There are levels in this game. I believe that I am levels ahead.”

Belfast’s rising star James McGivern has a chance to grab a first pro title. The Commonwealth Games bronze medalist was a neat 60.6kgs at Friday’s weigh in.

Opponent Josh Sandford was over the lightweight limit at 62.05kgs, meaning the Scot - who has an unblemished record of 6-0 - cannot collect the BUI Celtic lightweight title if he wins. Even at the weigh in, a confident McGivern was keen to keep hold of a strap he wants to win on Saturday night.

McGivern said: “This could be the night that catapults me to the rest of my career.”

James McGivern and Josh Sandford.

Donegal man Danny Boyle was taken by surprise when the offer of a fight on the Rumble In The Hills show arrived. The Dungloe puncher certainly wasn’t going to miss the chance of a home fight and the Rosses will be out in full force as Boyle (2-0-1), who weighed in at 82.35kgs, faces Evgeni Borisov (4-11-1), a Bulgarian, over four rounds.

Liam Walsh (5-0-2) is up against David Tancos (1-0) from Czech Republic with his brother Paddy Walsh stepping in against Englishman Dale Arrowsmith (6-93-4). The Walsh brothers weighed in at 72.8kgs and 65.7kgs.

Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Tyler Jolly is two-from-two as a pro and will bring his exciting talents to Donegal having beaten Vojtech Majer and Frank Madsen so far this year. The aptly-named Jolly will meet Damian Haus (4-10-1) at super welterweight while Galway cruiserweight Jason Myers makes his professional debut against Bulgaria’s Martin Milev.

Navan super-feather Cain Lewis (3-0-1) aims to maintain his unbeaten record when faces Czech puncher Jan Gorol (4-2).