Ward takes a bite out of the Big Apple with first round TKO win

Joe Ward rounded off his year in style with a TKO victory that took just 95 seconds in New York on Saturday night.

The Moate man is continuing to climb the professional boxing ladder, and this eye-catching stoppage win at Madison Square Garden will have done his profile in the US no harm whatsoever.

Having won his previous three fights on points, he displayed a ruthless streak against Britton Norwood, his outclassed opponent from Mississippi.

The fight was barely a minute old when Ward hurt Norwood with a sharp right hook to the body. He followed this up with a one-two combination which sent the American to the canvas.

Norwood rose, but was instantly wobbled by a straight right and, as he fell back against the ropes, another onslaught from Ward prompted the referee to step in and stop the fight.

Cheers from a group of Ward's supporters echoed around the famous Manhattan arena as the 28-year-old's hand was raised in victory.

The bout was the first fight on the undercard of a bill topped by Ukraine's renowned Vasiliy 'Loma' Lomachenko against Richard Commey.

This win improves Ward's professional record to six wins and one defeat (3 KO's), with the sole reversal having come as a result of a freak knee injury during his pro debut at the Garden in October 2019.

The light heavyweight is hopeful his next fight will be on an Irish-themed night of boxing in New York around St Patrick's weekend in March.

* For more, see next week's Westmeath Independent