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Steve Ward (boxer)

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Steve Ward
Born
Steve Ward

(1956-12-08) 8 December 1956 (age 67)
Nottingham, United Kingdom
NationalityUnited Kingdom United Kingdom
Statistics
Weight(s)Heavyweight
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Wins15[1]
Wins by KO1
Losses41

Stephen Ward (born 12 August 1956)[2] is an English former professional boxer, notable for having held the accolade of being the oldest professional boxer in the world.[3] He was first confirmed as such in 2011 at age 54.[4] 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.[5]

Fighting career

Ward boxed as an amateur from 1967–1977.[2] 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.[6] He then successfully defended the title against Pete McJob in March 2011.[7]

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.[8]

Ward suffered a hand injury on top of the work accident affecting one leg, and became a boxing coach to youngsters.[9]

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,[2] 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.[2]

He retired in 2017 after losing the WBC veteran heavyweight championship title to Andreas Sidon.[10][11]

In 2019, The Champ of Champs, a documentary film was produced featuring Ward's long involvement in boxing and fight-back against serious injury.[12][13][14]

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.[15] In January 2021, the fight, a veteran’s version of the world championship, was announced for May, before Ward's 65th birthday.[14]

References

  1. ^ https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/809
  2. ^ a b c d Steve Ward reclaims title as oldest active boxer aged 59 Guinness World Records, 14 December 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2020
  3. ^ "Steve Ward, 59, regains world's oldest boxer title". BBC News. 13 December 2015.
  4. ^ "Boxer Steve Ward, 54, confirmed as world's oldest". BBC News. 18 May 2011.
  5. ^ World's oldest boxer Steve Ward gets civic reception BBC News Nottingham, 1 September 2011. Retrieved 20 January 2021
  6. ^ Veteran Steve's stunning return. Chad, 1 December 2020, p.105 Retrieved 20 January 2021
  7. ^ Derbyshire boxer Steve Ward, 54, 'world's oldest champ' BBC News Derbyshire, 23 March 2011. Retrieved 20 January 2021
  8. ^ Veteran boxer Steve Ward lands Mansfield's top sports title. Chad (local newspaper), 14 December 2011, p.87. Accessed 17 December 2020
  9. ^ "Injury ruins oldest boxer's final dream". Chad, 22 February, 2013, p.104 Accessed 8 September 2022
  10. ^ "World's oldest boxer Steve Ward, 60, loses last professional fight in title bout". 15 July 2017.
  11. ^ "World's oldest boxer Steve Ward, 60, says he battled injury in defeat to Andreas Sidon in his last fight". 17 July 2017.
  12. ^ Mansfield boxing legend Steve Ward documentary gets UK premiere this week Chad (local newspaper), 21 October 2019. Retrieved 17 December 2020
  13. ^ The Champ of Champs indieshortfest.com, October 2019. Retrieved 17 December 2020
  14. ^ a b Mansfield's world oldest boxer Steve Ward set to fight on Chad, 18 January 2021. Retrieved 20 January 2021
  15. ^ Veteran boxer Steve Ward preparing to fight for world title - at sea Chad (local newspaper), 1 October 2020. Retrieved 17 December 2020
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