Steve Ward (boxer)

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Man wearing sleeveless hoodie with tattoos on right arm and right fist clenched
Ward in 2017

Stephen Ward (born 12 August 1956)[1] is an English professional boxer, notable for being the oldest professional boxer in the world.[2] He was first confirmed as such in 2011 at age 54.[3] Born in Nottingham and now living in nearby Mansfield, in 2012 Ward was given a civic reception by the mayor of Nottingham at Nottingham Council House to recognise his achievements.[4]

Fighting career[]

Ward boxed as an amateur from 1967–1977.[1] His original professional boxing career lasted from 1977 to 1987. After an industrial accident injured his foot leading to complex regional pain syndrome, he was treated by a Hong Kong surgeon recommended by a fellow martial artist when training at a gym. He then resumed boxing training including running for up to 10 mi (16 km) and made a comeback in 2010 against Gregg Scott-Briggs to win the Midlands Area Cruiserweight belt.[5] He then successfully defended the title against Pete McJob in March 2011.[6]

Ward received the 2012 Sportsperson of the Year accolade at Mansfield's Sports Recognition Awards, a local yearly ceremony, in recognition of his world record and EBF title at Cruiserweight.[7]

He lost the distinction of world's oldest professional in 2015, when an older fighter, American Mike Palmer, competed in a professional bout, but regained it later that year when he fought professionally at 59,[1] and was described as the oldest active boxer, after losing a fight in the third round against younger Jody Meikle at Chesterfield, attended by a Guinness World Records adjudicator on 12 December.[1]

He retired in 2017 after losing the WBC veteran heavyweight championship title to Andreas Sidon.[8][9]

In 2019, The Champ of Champs, a documentary film was produced featuring Ward's long involvement in boxing and fight-back against serious injury.[10][11][12]

In late 2020, Ward confirmed plans to fight again in 2021 against Jimmy Lloyd, in an attempt to gain a new world record, in a new sector called Gold Division, and claim a fourth Guinness World Record as the world's oldest boxer.[13] In January 2021, the fight, a veteran’s version of the world championship, was announced for May, before Ward's 65th birthday.[12]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d Steve Ward reclaims title as oldest active boxer aged 59 Guinness World Records, 14 December 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2020
  2. ^ "Steve Ward, 59, regains world's oldest boxer title". 13 December 2015 – via www.bbc.com.
  3. ^ "Boxer Steve Ward, 54, confirmed as world's oldest". 18 May 2011 – via www.bbc.com.
  4. ^ World's oldest boxer Steve Ward gets civic reception BBC News Nottingham, 1 September 2011. Retrieved 20 January 2021
  5. ^ Veteran Steve's stunning return. Chad, 1 December 2020, p.105 Retrieved 20 January 2021
  6. ^ Derbyshire boxer Steve Ward, 54, 'world's oldest champ' BBC News Derbyshire, 23 March 2011. Retrieved 20 January 2021
  7. ^ Veteran boxer Steve Ward lands Mansfield's top sports title. Chad (local newspaper), 14 December 2011, p.87. Accessed 17 December 2020
  8. ^ https://nottstv.com/worlds-oldest-boxer-steve-ward-60-loses-last-professional-fight-title-bout/
  9. ^ https://nottstv.com/worlds-oldest-boxer-steve-ward-60-says-battled-injury-defeat-andreas-sidon-last-fight/
  10. ^ Mansfield boxing legend Steve Ward documentary gets UK premiere this week Chad (local newspaper), 21 October 2019. Retrieved 17 December 2020
  11. ^ The Champ of Champs indieshortfest.com, October 2019. Retrieved 17 December 2020
  12. ^ a b Mansfield's world oldest boxer Steve Ward set to fight on Chad, 18 January 2021. Retrieved 20 January 2021
  13. ^ Veteran boxer Steve Ward preparing to fight for world title - at sea Chad (local newspaper), 1 October 2020. Retrieved 17 December 2020

External links[]

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