STEVEN Ward has posted on Instagram that he will hang up the gloves. The Newtownabbey boxer calls it quits with a 15-4 (4 KOs) ledger. Ward’s announcement was met with plenty of supportive comments from the wider boxing community.
“All the best big Steve, pleasure to share a part of your journey with you! Go and enjoy life,” wrote fellow Belfastman Michael Conlan.
Dev Sahni said: “Best of luck my friend, congratulations on a brilliant and memorable career.”
Trainer Jamie Moore, welterweight contender Lewis Crocker and Monaghan’s Stevie McKenna also commended Ward on his nine-year pro career. Turning pro in the Titanic Exhibition Centre, Ward enjoyed a fruitful amateur stint, including a 2010 Commonwealth Games silver medal and numerous domestic battles in the Irish Senior tournaments.
Boiling down to light-heavyweight early on, Ward got a slot in Windsor Park, 2018, beating Steve Collins Jr as part of the Carl Frampton supporting cast. Later moving his shredded frame up to cruiserweight, throughout his career, Ward suffered from repeated cuts. He took an extended break from the ring after losing to Kamshybek Kunkabayev in 2021.
Returning in early 2024 for one last run at glory, the ‘Quiet Man’ lost in Dubai before beating old Belfast sparring partner Tommy McCarthy by knockout in their home city. That will serve as a highlight moment for Steven.
He boxed Cork-based Cuban Mike Perez in Ipswich at the start of June. Despite earning moments of success, Ward was dropped twice before the towel came in to end his evening. Barring another comeback, it has now proved to be Ward’s last roll of the boxing dice.
