Martin J Ward wants shot at European title after beating Anthony Cacace

[Ruthless-RKO]

Martin J Ward is eyeing up a shot at European honours after he claimed the British super-featherweight title outright on Saturday night.

Ward also added the vacant Commonwealth title to his collection as he earned a narrow decision over Belfast's Anthony Cacace at Wembley's SSE Arena, winning via scores of 115-114, 116-114 and 116-113.

The victory marked the third successive defence of the coveted Lonsdale belt for Ward, who remains undefeated, and the 26-year-old now wants to push on and challenge for higher honours.

It was a great night for my career, especially against a big-punching, unbeaten Northern Irishman in Cacace and I'm over the moon to get the belt outright," Ward exclusively told Sky Sports.

"I felt the pressure to perform in there and I just tried to stick to the game plan and do what I've been doing in training.

"It was a bit of a grudge match against Cacace and there was a lot of talking going on. He was quite solid in there, but did not have ridiculous power, he hit me flush early on and I dropped my hands and said 'come on!'

"It was a close fight and some people scored it against me and some for me, including the judges sat ringside. Maybe because of that I haven't got the credit I deserve, but I'm just delighted to have my title for keeps - it's an amazing feeling."

Having claimed the Commonwealth belt and British title outright, Ward has now set his eyes on the European strap, currently held by France's Guillaume Frenois, while a domestic clash with Stephen Smith also takes his fancy for the future.

"I'm going to have a couple of weeks out of the gym and then get back to work. I'm looking to go all the way in the sport and the European route is the next logical step.

"Frenois is an experienced champion and I'll happily fight him anywhere, in France or London, it really doesn't matter - a ring is a ring.

"Smith is another fight for further down the line maybe, he's fallen short at world level a few times now so hopefully I am on the road to getting to a similar level to him where an exciting fight could easily be made."

[KiwiRider]

It was a tough opponent to beat.
I had it even.
Cacace let himself down with his work rate.
Could have won the close rounds if he had been busier.
Ward for sure is now European level.
Who is next for him?

[Oiky]

Good luck to him good fighter

[ShadrachSimmo]

It was a tough opponent to beat.
I had it even.
Cacace let himself down with his work rate.
Could have won the close rounds if he had been busier.
Ward for sure is now European level.
Who is next for him?

He should have "let his hands go a bit more" as Jim Watt was prone to saying.

Not been overly impressed with Ward but he's winning (and drawing) so fair play.

[crusader]

Ward is a solid fighter, but has only just been getting by in some of his bouts. The European title is a logical next step, though against legit EBU level opposition he'll need to raise his game.

[BitPlayer]

It was a tough opponent to beat.
I had it even.
Cacace let himself down with his work rate.
Could have won the close rounds if he had been busier.
Ward for sure is now European level.
Who is next for him?

He should have "let his hands go a bit more" as Jim Watt was prone to saying.

Not been overly impressed with Ward but he's winning (and drawing) so fair play.

One of his draws was because it was stopped in the 1st round for a headclash. They really should class that as a no contest.

[daviddee]

Ward is a solid fighter, but has only just been getting by in some of his bouts. The European title is a logical next step, though against legit EBU level opposition he'll need to raise his game.

I would fancy both Clark and Cacacae to beat Frenois.. Ward will win on points.. With Clark out the scence just now would be good to see Zelfa Barrett v Cacacae for the British if Ward vacates. I think Barrett is very special and see him as our best shot at a world title at Super Feather... Cacacae's power is very over rated because he stopped Clark.. Clark was hurt going gun hoe for the stoppage.. Judging both fights Clark had Ward in serious trouble and Ward was walking through Cacacae... Looking forward to seeing this division in the next 18 months

[maley1984]

Ward is a solid fighter, but has only just been getting by in some of his bouts. The European title is a logical next step, though against legit EBU level opposition he'll need to raise his game.

I would fancy both Clark and Cacacae to beat Frenois.. Ward will win on points.. With Clark out the scence just now would be good to see Zelfa Barrett v Cacacae for the British if Ward vacates. I think Barrett is very special and see him as our best shot at a world title at Super Feather... Cacacae's power is very over rated because he stopped Clark.. Clark was hurt going gun hoe for the stoppage.. Judging both fights Clark had Ward in serious trouble and Ward was walking through Cacacae... Looking forward to seeing this division in the next 18 months

Surely Bowen deserves a shot b4 both Barrett (withdrew from a eliminator against bowen) and cacacae(lost decent effort but he must surely have regrets has ward was their for the taking). Also numerous other fighters have pulled out against him also.

As ward will b interesting to where he goes with matchroom as he turned down their offer of the fight with cacacae to recieve a lower wage on the purse bid. According to Hearn.

[daviddee]

Ward is a solid fighter, but has only just been getting by in some of his bouts. The European title is a logical next step, though against legit EBU level opposition he'll need to raise his game.

I would fancy both Clark and Cacacae to beat Frenois.. Ward will win on points.. With Clark out the scence just now would be good to see Zelfa Barrett v Cacacae for the British if Ward vacates. I think Barrett is very special and see him as our best shot at a world title at Super Feather... Cacacae's power is very over rated because he stopped Clark.. Clark was hurt going gun hoe for the stoppage.. Judging both fights Clark had Ward in serious trouble and Ward was walking through Cacacae... Looking forward to seeing this division in the next 18 months

Surely Bowen deserves a shot b4 both Barrett (withdrew from a eliminator against bowen) and cacacae(lost decent effort but he must surely have regrets has ward was their for the taking). Also numerous other fighters have pulled out against him also.

As ward will b interesting to where he goes with matchroom as he turned down their offer of the fight with cacacae to recieve a lower wage on the purse bid. According to Hearn.

Mate Bowen v Barrett would be a good fight for the British.. Sam is another good fighter. Problem is Carl Greaves gets a decent fighter and he then becomes world class it's just setting them up for a fall.. Look at Robbie Davies jnr.

I dont believe Cacacae will be kicking himself he believes he won almost every round.. Work rate was the issue and that's probably down to being tight at the weight. Cacacae as I have said before is very easy to hit and that was his downfall..

[crusader]

Defense was his downfall? Ward barely landed a notable punch.

IMO Cacace's biggest problem was output....it often just looked like Ward was fighting harder.

[JamieM]

Ward worked well on the inside and when they would tie up Ward would seem like he's wanting it more. Honestly can't believe Cacace view on the fight that he won almost every round. What I felt would happen would. Although I did think Ward might stop him . Sam Bowen deserves the British title shot but in truth with Ronnie tied up zelfa and Sam should fight for the vacant belt. Great fight that I feel zelfa will win.

[maley1984]

I've not seen anything of Bowen just know his been avoided. Hope him and Barrett do meet for vacant title. Barrett fighting that Jordan Ellison soon who's caused a few up sets. Can't See ward defending it again next few board notices cud b interesting.