Joe Ward sets sights on world’s top 175lb fighters after Letterkenny win

Joe Ward has put the world’s top light heavyweights on notice that he’s ready for war.

Ward stopped Prince Oko Narty in Letterkenny on Saturday night in his first Irish outing as a professional.

Interrupted by injury and the Covid-19 pandemic since flipping over to the paid ranks in 2019, the Moate southpaw is now eying up some of the division’s big guns,

Narty arrived in Donegal with a 11-1 record, but Ward put him to the sword. The bout was stopped one second from the end of the second round with Narty taking too much punishment for the liking of referee David Irving.

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“I’m ready to step up and I’d fight any of the top guys in the 175lb division,” Ward said.

“I’ll be straight back into the gym in the next week. When the chance comes, I’ll be ready. I like to keep busy and I want to build some momentum.

“I want 2024 to be a big year for me and I want to fight for some titles. I believe that I’m at another level. I think I have proven that in my ten fights.”

In the last week, Ward has made no secret of his desire to get among the big fights. He has pointed to European light heavyweight champ Dan Azeez, IBO world light heavyweight title holder Lyndon Arthur and Joshua Buatsi as being among those in his crosshairs.

After a destructive display to put Narty to bed, the 30-year-old is keen to make up for lost time.

He said: “I believe that it’s only a matter of time before I get those fights. I’m ready to go and I’m ready to take on any of the top guys from around the world.

“They can run but they can’t hide. They’ll have to come out some time and get the show on the road.”

The Olympic rings tattooed on his right arm serves as a reminder of Ward’s amateur pedigree. A three-time European gold and three-time world medallist in the Irish vest, Ward competed at the 2016 Olympic Games.

In 2019, he turned professional and is promoted by Lou DiBella. Two-weight world champion Joey Gamache cornered Ward alongside Jimmy Payne on Saturday night at the Aura Leisure Complex.

Ward was out with a real purpose from an early stage in the fight. At one point in the opening round, he could sense a stoppage.

He said: “I’ve been working very hard in the gym and getting a lot of hard sparring in Manhattan. I was very confident coming into the fight.

“I knew that if I hit him with both hands I could shake him in his boots. I stuck to the plan, landed good, clean, hard shots. He’s a tough guy, credit where it’s due he stood for as long as he could.”

Ward hadn’t fought in Ireland for nigh on seven years. His last bout in his home country was in February 2017 when defeating Tony Browne to win a fifth Irish Elite light heavyweight title.

Ward lit up Letterkenny for almost six minutes in a rousing atmosphere as he made it a homecoming to remember for his large army of supporters.

He said: “It was very special to be back home. The people here and the support are amazing. The crowd was electric and I want to thank each and every one of them. The people here put on a great show.

“There is no place like home. I believe that we have the best fans in the world in Ireland: We come out and support each other and we’re entertaining.”