Martin J Ward vs James Tennyson

[handsofstone]

Ward makes the first defence of his European Super Featherweight title against the big punching Tennyson on the Bellew/Haye 2 card this weekend, could be a tasty wee tear up, Tennyson is vulnerable but can bang and Ward has shown a bit of vulnrabilty himself in his career but still remains unbeaten and the KO he scored over Giner to win the title was 1st class, Ward can blow a bit hot and cold, sometimes I can see the hype that guys in the trade talk about and other times he struggles, I thought he lost to Cacace and the Clark and 3rd Hughes were razor tight

I'd say Tennyson has a punchers chance, has good stoppage wins over Geraghty and Traynor but was crippled by body shots in a British title fights against Ryan Walsh down at Featherweight and also got stopped in 2 by a journeyman early in his career

It all depends which Ward turns up really, I can see him getting tagged by Tennyson who has nothing to lose and i'd say he's the hardest puncher Ward has been in with and might not let him of the hook but my head says Ward might have a few shaky moments but will have too much ring smarts for Ward and will force a late stioppage

[JamieM]

Punches chance for James but for me it's an exact replica of the Andy Townend fight. To give ward problems you need to be able to take what he has to offer and show him no respect and think James can be vulnerable. Ward is really under rated.

For What it's worth I'm hoping James wins as he is a nice boy.

[maley1984]

I agree with Jamie. Townend fight all over. Tennyson will b dangerous first couple rounds. Can't believe his ranked 2 by wbc

[handsofstone]

Jeez what an upset and turnaround from Tennyson, although he was always a big puncher going in I reckon most people thought Ward would be too schooled for him and for the first 3 rounds it looked that way, Tennyson looked big and strong but Ward started off sharp and I wasn't surprised he put Tennyson down with a body shot in the 2nd, lucky it was end of the round, Ward snapped they left hand into the body, Tennyson had a great 4th though and he hurt Ward a couple of times, the finishing from Tennyson in the 5th was top drawer, he put the punches together very well for both knockdowns, showed great accuracy, the right hands especially were the ones that did the damage

Tennyson has gatecrashed the divison, he's always value for money, I was surprised Ward stopped going tom the body as much though, the headshots just bounced of Tennyson

[daviddee]

Ward got ahead of himself and didn’t respect Tennyson’s power and that’s how easy boxing can be turned on his head.. Well done to James Tennyson stuck in there when he was badly hurt...

[markhdunlop]

[jamamb]

glad to see this result, tennyson is a really fun fighter to watch, vulnerable but big and strong and aggressive. ive been following his career lately. he also had a funny streak of 5x 14-1 opponents in a row

[KiwiRider]

Fight of the night for me. The harder puncher won. Ward should have stayed on his jab and not stood in front. Very entertaining and I would love to see a rematch.

[Taansend]

Cracking fight. Fair play to Tennyson. Did the Kronk name proud (as well as Belfast).

Ward can learn from this & come again. He looked excellent early on.

[jamamb]

ward can be really good at times, but he just seems to have a vulneraability (chin + defensive lapses) that keeps popping up. same for tennyson too, although that seems more in line with his warrior, impose himself style. ward has these flashes of excellent boxing skills but then just gets caught.

[handsofstone]

I thought Townend would've done this to Ward

[keirw]

Good fight and a good come from behind win for Tennyson.

Ward is a decent boxer, but he never really recovered from the first left hook he took.

Fair play to Tennyson though, he know he had his opponent hurt and stayed on him until the end.

[daviddee]

Tennyson v Clark now that would be a cracker... Both friends but business is business and James is holding a good few belts now that I am sure Ronnie would want.. Tennyson clearly has the power but he’s very vulnerable we know Ronnie wouldn’t take a backward step..

[JamieM]

Hands up when I am wrong did not expect that one. James is a nice lad and deserves it and has had his ups and downs and last night he just got himself a world title fight I think . Still only 24. Mad. Hearn may well put him in with Stephen Smith or someone of the likes fringe world level in a final eliminator. I would bank on there being a rematch clause though.

[jamamb]

martin j ward looks really good when hes on. he was excellent those early rounds. speed, snap, power, movement, slickness, etc

but it was near the end of the third that tennyson, even though he lost that round too, started finding him. ward just can not seem to keep it up consistently. and then the big shots coming in to hurt ward in the 4th and take him out in the 5th. ward doesnt have a good chin.

ppl compared tennyson to townend, and i can see what they mean, but tennyson is sharper and more persistent offensively and that really helped him get to ward eventually.

commentators mentioned ronnie clark not realizing how bad hed hurt ward, and id at least say that he didnt follow up and wasnt as offensively persistent as tenny was. tenny did not let it slip away