Moate's Joe Ward set to fight in Oman in December

Joe Ward is set for a return to the ring many miles from home in December.

The 31-year-old light heavyweight from Moate is due to appear on a night of boxing billed as 'The Desert Crown', which is taking place in Muscat, Oman, on Saturday, December 13.

The event is being organised by Elite promotions, which said it will be "a landmark event bringing world-class professional boxing to Oman".

Ward told the Westmeath Independent that the fight, in the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, will be his first ten-round bout and his opponent for it is currently being lined up.

The local boxer has endured a frustrating 2025, as he was due to appear at an open-air show in Galway's Pearse Stadium in June only for that event to be called off less than three weeks in advance.

Ward last boxed in Dublin in October, where he defeated Ukraine's Dmytro Fedas in the National Stadium.

He turned professional in 2019 after an outstanding career as an amateur, which included winning three European gold medals as well as two silver medals and a bronze medal at world championships.

His record as a professional stands at 12 wins (8 by KO) and just one defeat, which was a result of a free knee injury he sustained in his professional debut.

Ward told the Westmeath Independent he was really looking forward to getting back in action.

"It's a step forward, my first ten round fight, and it will help put my career in the right direction heading into what will hopefully be a busy 2026," he said.