- Micky Ward
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Micky Ward 
Ward in March 2011Statistics Real name Micky Ward Nickname(s) Irish Rated at Junior welterweight Nationality 
AmericanBorn October 4, 1965
Lowell, Massachusetts, USStance Orthodox Boxing record Total fights 51 Wins 38 Wins by KO 27 Losses 13 Draws 0 No contests 0 Micky Ward (born October 4, 1965), nicknamed Irish, is a retired American junior welterweight professional boxer and a former WBU champion from Lowell, Massachusetts. He is widely known as the protagonist in the 2010 feature film The Fighter based on his career and culminating with his title bout against Shea Neary.
Contents
Early career
Ward was a three-time New England Golden Gloves champion boxer who turned pro in 1985,[1] winning his first fourteen fights.[2] However, his career leveled off, and after losing four consecutive fights in 1990/91, Ward took a hiatus from boxing.[3]
Hiatus
During Ward's time away from the sport, he used some of the funds from his day job on a road-paving crew to have surgery on his right hand, with which he had problems during several bouts. The surgery used some of the bone from Ward's pelvis to strengthen and fuse the bones in his hand.[3] His half-brother, former boxer Dicky Eklund, who was struggling with drug addiction and had just been released from jail on charges including drug possession, convinced Ward to take up the sport again.[1]
Return to the ring
Ward was successful in his return, winning his first nine fights, and won the WBU's Intercontinental Light Welterweight Title in a fight against Louis Veader.[2] He defended the belt once, in a rematch against Veader.[2] Ward earned a 1997 IBF Light Welterweight Championship fight against champion Vince Phillips, but did not win the championship, as the fight was stopped in the third round due to cuts,[2] and Phillips was awarded the bout via TKO. One year later, Ward again would come up short in a title fight, as he lost a 12-round decision against Zab Judah.[2]
In 2000, Ward traveled to London to take on the WBU Light Welterweight Champion, Shea Neary, and earned a TKO in the eighth round to win the WBU title.[2] Ward, however, never defended the title, and split his next four fights. His ten-round decision victory over Emanuel Augustus (then known as Emanuel Burton) was voted The Ring magazine's 2001 Fight of the Year.[4]
Ward vs. Gatti trilogy
On May 18, 2002, Ward faced the opponent with whom he became most identified, Arturo Gatti. The fight was a wild one, but a ninth round Ward knockdown of Gatti proved to be the difference, with Ward winning a majority decision. The fight was later named the 2002 Ring magazine fight of the year. Both fighters needed care in a trauma center after the match.
The two agreed to an immediate rematch, and in November, Gatti was able to win the second wild fight. Ward was knocked down in the third round, but survived to finish the fight. Gatti paid tribute to Ward's tenacity after the fight, saying, "I used to wonder what would happen if I fought my twin. Now I know."[3]
They then agreed to a third straight fight, and again, the fight was back and forth. Gatti pounded Ward with punch after punch early on, but Ward fought back and managed a sixth round knockdown of Gatti. Before Gatti could get up, or the referee's count could hit ten, the bell sounded to end the round. Gatti was able to come back and win the fight via a unanimous decision. Again, both men needed a trip to the hospital, due to the injuries they suffered.[3] The fight was named the 2003 Ring magazine fight of the year, the third straight for Ward.[5]
All told, Ward made approximately $3 million in earnings for his trilogy with Gatti; the most lucrative fights of his career.[6]
After boxing
Ward still lives in Lowell, where he is part owner of and runs a gym as well as part owner of an outdoor hockey rink.[7] Ward married Charlene Fleming, his long time girlfriend, who is also a former athlete. They live with Ward's daughter, Kasie. Ward's half-brother and former trainer Dicky Eklund still trains the new boxers at the academy run by Ward.[8]
Professional boxing record
38 Wins (27 knockouts, 11 decisions), 13 Losses (1 eye-stoppage , 12 decisions), 0 Draws[2]
Res. Record Opponent Type Rd., Time Date Location Notes Loss 38–13 
Arturo GattiUD 10 (10) 2003-06-07 Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New JerseyRing Magazine Fight of the Year Loss 38–12 Arturo GattiUD 10 (10) 2002-11-23 Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New JerseyWin 38–11 Arturo GattiMD 10 (10) 2002-05-18 Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville, ConnecticutRing Magazine Fight of the Year Loss 37–11 Jesse James LeijaTD 5 (10) 2002-01-05 Freeman Coliseum, San Antonio, TexasFight stopped due to a cut on Leija. Win 37–10 Emanuel AugustusUD 10 (10) 2001-07-13 Hampton Beach Casino, Hampton Beach, New HampshireRing Magazine Fight of the Year Win 36–10 Steve QuinonezKO 1 (10), 3:03 2001-05-18 Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, ConnecticutLoss 35–10 
Antonio DiazUD 10 (10) 2000-08-19 Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, ConnecticutWin 35–9 
Shea NearyTKO 8 (12), 2:55 2000-03-11 Olympia, LondonWon WBU Light Welterweight title. Win 34–9 Reggie GreenTKO 10 (10), 2:40 1999-10-01 Icenter, Salem, New HampshireWin 33–9 Jermal CorbinTKO 5 (10) 1999-07-16 Hampton Beach Casino, Hampton Beach, New HampshireWin 32–9 Jose Luis MendezTKO 3 (?) 1999-03-17 Boston, MassachusettsLoss 31–9 Zab JudahUD 12 (12) 1998-06-07 Miccosukee Indian Gaming Resort, Miami, Floridainterim USBA Light Welterweight title. Win 31–8 Mark FernandezKO 3 (8), 1:57 1998-04-14 Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, ConnecticutLoss 30–8 Vince PhillipsTKO 3 (12), 2:49 1997-08-09 The Roxy, Boston, MassachusettsIBF Light Welterweight title. Cut eye stoppage. Win 30–7 Alfonso SanchezKO 7 (10), 1:53 1997-04-12 Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, NevadaWin 29–7 Manny CastilloSD 10 (10) 1996-12-06 Lawlor Events Center, Reno, NevadaWin 28–7 Louis VeaderUD 12 (12) 1996-07-28 Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, ConnecticutWBU Intercontinental Light Welterweight Title Win 27–7 Louis VeaderTKO 9 (12), 1:28 1996-04-13 Fleet Center, Boston, MassachusettsWBU Intercontinental Light Welterweight Title Win 26–7 Alex OrtizTKO 1 (6) 1996-03-15 Wonderland Ballroom, Revere, MassachusettsWin 25–7 
Alberto AliceaTKO 3 (8) 1996-01-26 Wonderland Ballroom, Revere, MassachusettsWin 24–7 Edgardo RosarioTKO 1 (4) 1995-12-30 Wonderland Greyhound Park, Revere, MassachusettsWin 23–7 Genaro AndujarKO 3 (10) 1994-09-10 Lowell Auditorium, Lowell, MassachusettsWin 22–7 Luis CastilloTKO 5 (10) 1994-06-17 Sheraton Inn, Lowell, MassachusettsLoss 21–7 Ricky MeyersUD 10 (10) 1991-10-15 Harrah's Trump Plaza Hotel, Atlantic City, New JerseyLoss 21–6 Tony MartinUD 10 (10) 1991-05-02 Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, New JerseyLoss 21–5 Charles MurrayUD 12 (12) 1990-10-18 Rochester War Memorial, Rochester, NYUSBA light welterweight title Loss 21–4 Harold BrazierUD 12 (12) 1990-04-26 Resorts International, Atlantic City, New JerseyIBF Inter-Continental welterweight title Win 21–3 David RivelloSD 10 (10) 1990-02-03 Hynes Convention Center, Boston, MassachusettsWin 20–3 Clarence ColemanTKO 5 (10) 1989-05-23 Showboat Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New JerseyLoss 19–3 Frankie WarrenUD 12 (12) 1989-01-15 Caesar's Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New JerseyUSBA light welterweight title Win 19–2 
Francisco Tomas da CruzTKO 3 (10) 1988-12-13 Resorts International, Atlantic City, New JerseyLoss 18–2 Mike MunginUD 10 (10) 1988-09-09 Resorts International, Atlantic City, New JerseyWin 18–1 Marvin GarrisTKO 2 (?) 1988-07-09 Sands Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New JerseyWin 17–1 David SilvaUD 10 (10) 1988-05-19 Resorts International, Atlantic City, New JerseyWin 16–1 Joey OliveraUD 10 (10) 1988-02-19 Bally's Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NevadaWin 15–1 Joey FerrellTKO 1 (10) 1988-01-15 Resorts International, Atlantic City, New JerseyLoss 14–1 Edwin CuretSD 10 (10) 1987-09-25 Resorts Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New JerseyWin 14–0 Derrick McGuireTKO 4 (8) 1987-08-25 Ballys Park Place Hotel Casino, Atlantic City, New JerseyWin 13–0 Kelly KobleTKO 4 (8) 1987-04-06 Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, NevadaWin 12–0 Hilario MercedesSD 8 (8) 1987-02-24 Resorts International, Atlantic City, New JerseyWin 11–0 
Carlos BrandiKO 2 (10) 1986-10-24 Lowell Auditorium, Lowell, MassachusettsWin 10–0 John RafuseUD 8 (8) 1986-08-29 Lowell Auditorium, Lowell, MassachusettsWin 9–0 Rafael TerreroTKO 2 (6) 1986-07-04 Resorts International, Atlantic City, New JerseyWin 8–0 Ken WillisPTS 6 (6) 1986-06-15 Atlantic City, New JerseyWin 7–0 Luis PizzarroTKO 3 (6) 1986-05-30 Trump Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New JerseyWin 6–0 Darrell CurtisTKO 5 (?) 1986-04-18 Trump Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New JerseyWin 5–0 Jesus Carlos VelezKO 6 (6) 1986-02-21 Trump Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New JerseyWin 4–0 Mike PeoplesUD 4 (4) 1986-01-24 Resorts International, Atlantic City, New JerseyWin 3–0 Chris BajorTKO 3 (4) 1986-01-10 Resorts International, Atlantic City, New JerseyWin 2–0 Greg YoungTKO 4 (4) 1985-08-27 Memorial Auditorium, Lowell, MassachusettsWin 1–0 David MorinTKO 1 (4) 1985-06-13 Roll-On-America Skating Rink, Lawrence, MassachusettsMicky's Professional Debut In popular culture
The story of Ward's comeback and rise to fame was made into a 2010 feature film, The Fighter, starring Mark Wahlberg (who was nominated for the Golden Globe for Best Actor) as Ward. Wahlberg confirmed to Spike TV that The Fighter 2 is in the works, which will focus on the legendary fight trilogy between Ward and Arturo Gatti.[9]
The album The Warrior's Code by the Dropkick Murphys features Ward on the cover, and is the subject of the title song. The live version is played in the film, The Fighter.[10][11]
The game Fight Night Round 3 (2006) features Ward and Gatti on the cover.[12]
A book – Irish Thunder: The Hard Life and Times of Micky Ward – about Ward's life and boxing career was written by Bob Halloran in 2008.
References
- ^ a b Sheridan, Emily. "Mark Wahlberg swaps his Calvin Klein six-pack for a paunch to play out-of-shape boxer", Daily Mail, March 16, 2010
- ^ a b c d e f g Professional boxing record for Micky Ward from BoxRec
- ^ a b c d Lidz, Franz. "Uncommon Valor", Sports Illustrated, June 16, 2003
- ^ Quinones, Rafael Garcia. "Revisiting the Fight of the Year for 2001: Micky Ward vs. Emanuel Burton", BleacherReport.com, January 9, 2010
- ^ Boehm, Mike."Arturo Gatti: Remembering Ultimate Blood and Guts Warrior", ProBoxing-Fans.com, n.d.
- ^ Aranda, Ramon. "Micky Ward to Attend Martinez-Dzinziruk Card", 3MoreRounds.com, February 24, 2011
- ^ Lem Satterfield, provided by (2011-01-07). "Surprised Micky Ward's 'Honesty And Integrity' Recognized". Sfgate.com. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fg%2Fa%2F2011%2F01%2F07%2Ffanhousemickywardshonestyand.DTL. Retrieved 2011-01-28.
- ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0964517/
- ^ Aranda, Ramon. "Mark Wahlberg Confirms The Fighter 2 in the Works", 3MoreRounds.com, June 10, 2011
- ^ "The Warrior's Code. Dropkick Murphys". Dropkickmurphys.com. http://www.dropkickmurphys.com/music/albums/the-warriors-code/. Retrieved 2011-01-28.
- ^ "Epitaph Records. Dropkick Murphys". Epitaph.com. http://www.epitaph.com/artists/album/435. Retrieved 2011-01-28.
- ^ Adams, David. "Ward, Gatti for Fight Night Round 3 Cover" Xbox.IGN.com, December 12, 2005
External links
- Official Micky Ward Web Site
- Team Micky Ward Charities
- Professional boxing record for Micky Ward from BoxRec
Further reading
- Halloran, Bob. Irish Thunder: The Hard Life & Times of Micky Ward (Lyons Press, 2010) ISBN 978-0-7627-6986-5
Categories:- 1965 births
- American boxers of Irish descent
- Living people
- People from Lowell, Massachusetts
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