Ward looks forward to 'bigger tests' after New York victory

Joe Ward said he's hoping to have "a big year" in 2023, after he defeated US-based Frenchman Frederic Julan in New York's Madison Square Garden last weekend.

The fight was Ward's ninth as a professional, and his first to be scheduled for eight rounds. It went the distance and, although the Moate man felt there was room for improvement in his performance, he still ran out a decisive winner on all three judges’ scorecards.

The 29-year-old won seven of the eight rounds on two of the judges' cards, and six of the rounds on the third judge's card.

Speaking to the Westmeath Independent shortly before he returned home from the US this week, Ward said Julan's style had been tricky to deal with.

"He was a tough opponent. He had 12 wins and one defeat, with 10 knockouts, so he was always dangerous and carried power in his punches. He was a two-time Golden Gloves champion in America, as well, as an amateur," said Ward.

"It was an awkward fight in parts, and I didn't really get going 100%, but the most important thing was to get the win and move onto the next one.

"That's what it's all about, getting the 'w' and pushing on. I've had better performances, but sometimes you have to win ugly rather than look good and lose!"

Despite Julan's attributes, the local man felt the outcome of the contest was never in doubt.

"He was awkward, and he came in with a plan, but I felt I won the fight comfortably. He had his moments, but that"s just the nature of the sport."

Saturday's fight in the famous Manhattan arena, on the undercard of a contest between American Teofimo Lopez and Spain’s Sandor Martin, was only Ward's second fight of 2022. His previous bout was on April 1, and he felt this period of inactivity had been a factor in his performance at the weekend.

"I felt I had a bit of ring rust. It was tough being out of the ring for so long. Getting in there, and getting the ball rolling again, was definitely something I needed. It makes a big difference when you're active, because things just flow a lot easier."

Ward was one of the best light heavyweights in the world as an amateur, winning gold at three European championships, along with two silver medals and a bronze at world championships.

He turned pro in 2019, and acknowledged that professional boxing involved differences in style to which he was still adjusting.

"I'm trying a different style, I'm trying to control fights and work off the front foot, rather than be the usual counter-puncher that I am.

"But you can try out all of these things when you're winning, and that makes it easier. You're not always going to look good, but the important thing is to get win, learn from it, and push on."

His ultimate aim as a professional is to become a world champion, and he said he was looking forward to taking strides toward that goal in the coming year.

"We're going to sit down as a team over the next few days. From what I'm hearing at the moment, it’s going to be a busy year. We’re going to push on to bigger tests ahead, and hopefully there will be some really big fights by the end of next year."

He's hoping his next fight will be sometime around March.

"Hopefully I’ll get a good few fights under my belt next year. I'll keep working, keep improving. It’s one step at a time. Rome wasn’t built in a day!" he concluded.

Ward's professional record after last weekend’s victory stands at eight wins (4 KOs) and one defeat, with that sole blemish coming when he dislocated his knee in a freak incident during his pro debut in October 2019.