Joe Ward's next fight set for Canada on St Patrick's week
Moate light heavyweight Joe Ward is hoping for a busy 2023, and his first fight of the year is scheduled to take place in Quebec, Canada, on March 16.
The local man will be boxing on the undercard of an IBF light heavyweight title eliminator between Haitian-born Canadian boxer Jean Pascal and German Michael Eifert.
The bout will take place in Place Bell, an ice hockey arena in the Montreal suburb of Laval. At the time of writing, Ward's opponent has not yet been announced.
"I am training away, and I'm looking forward to a busy year," he told the Westmeath Independent this week.
"For me, I think it's a make or break year. I want to push on, and take on big challenges."
Ward rounded off 2022 with a points win over Frederic Julan in New York's Madison Square Garden in December.
After winning European and World Championship medals as an amateur, he turned professional in 2019.
The 29-year-old's record after nine pro fights stands at eight wins and one defeat (4 KOs).