Steve Ward (boxer)

Last updated

Steve Ward
Steve Ward.jpg
Born
Steve Ward

(1956-12-08) 8 December 1956 (age 68)
Nottingham, United Kingdom
Nationality Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom
Statistics
Weight(s) Cruiserweight
Stance Orthodox
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]

Contents

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] and again with a unanimous points decision against Keifer Bentley in June 2011. [8]

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. [9]

Ward suffered a hand injury on top of the work accident affecting one leg, and became a boxing coach to youngsters. [10]

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. [11] [12]

In 2019, The Champ of Champs, a documentary film was produced featuring Ward's long involvement in boxing and fight-back against serious injury. [13] [14] [15]

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

References

  1. ↑ "BoxRec: Login".
  2. 1 2 3 4 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. ↑ "World's oldest pro champ retains title". Chad, 22 June 2011, p.98. Accessed 8 February 2025
  9. ↑ Veteran boxer Steve Ward lands Mansfield's top sports title. Chad (local newspaper), 14 December 2011, p.87. Accessed 17 December 2020
  10. ↑ "Injury ruins oldest boxer's final dream". Chad, 22 February, 2013, p.104 Accessed 8 September 2022
  11. ↑ "World's oldest boxer Steve Ward, 60, loses last professional fight in title bout". 15 July 2017.
  12. ↑ "World's oldest boxer Steve Ward, 60, says he battled injury in defeat to Andreas Sidon in his last fight". 17 July 2017.
  13. ↑ Mansfield boxing legend Steve Ward documentary gets UK premiere this week Chad (local newspaper), 21 October 2019. Retrieved 17 December 2020
  14. ↑ The Champ of Champs indieshortfest.com, October 2019. Retrieved 17 December 2020
  15. 1 2 Mansfield's world oldest boxer Steve Ward set to fight on Chad, 18 January 2021. Retrieved 20 January 2021
  16. ↑ 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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