Thomas Patrick Ward vs. Ally Mwerangi - 17 July 2022

[Ruthless-RKO]

Press Release

Thomas Patrick Ward wants to finally shake off his contender status and fight for a world title this year.

The featherweight returns to action on July 17, at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, headlining a Phil Jeffries promotion, looking to preserve his status at the WBA’s No1 ranked fighter.

Ward says he was in “cruise control” when defeating Alexis Kabore over 10 rounds at Probellum Throwdown in March and has repeated that he is ready for world title opportunities.

The 28-year-old, unbeaten in 33 fights, believes he will be world champion for a “long time” and says it is “outrageous” that there is a logjam at the top of the WBA featherweight division, delaying his chance.

Ward said: “I am ranked No1 by the WBA and hopefully the right thing happens, and that’s me being made mandatory and then getting the title shot.

“I was No1 contender with the WBO at super bantamweight for a period but the fight with Emanuel Navarette never happened. I always seem to be there or there abouts and never get the opportunity.

“But hopefully that changes soon and I believe when I become world champion, I will reign for a long time. I look at other fighters who have had that opportunity and they have not been good enough.”

England’s Leigh Wood is the WBA ‘regular’ champion, while Leo Santa Cruz holds the ‘Super’ world title.

Ward, the leading contender in the division, can’t understand why he’s still waiting for this shot.

“Leo Santa Cruz hasn’t defended his title since 2018 and he’s still champion,” he said.

“It’s outrageous and you’ve got people like me waiting for an opportunity, it doesn’t make any sense. But whether it be Santa Cruz or Leigh Wood, both good fighters, I just believe that my chance will come.

“I’ve been in cruise control in my last few fights but when I’m facing these top fighters, then you will see the very best of me.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

Not a Probellum card..

Probably gonna be a nobody... Just needs to keep busy.

[Spud]

Tommy Ward is a fantastic little boxer.

He thoroughly deserves his chance.

[margaret thatcher]

lmao, tommy ward vs tba, what else is new, record absolutely loaded with meaningless fights

[margaret thatcher]

Not a Probellum card..

Probably gonna be a nobody... Just needs to keep busy.

he's been plenty busy, unbeaten in 33 fights

his problem isnt activity, it's having meaningful fights

at this rate, 5 years from now he'll be the 50-0-1 wba #1 , staying busy defeating guys ranked #300 in the world as he still awaits his shot. maybe another draw with a tough gatekeeper like essomba

i dont actually think he's particularly deserving of a shot either. best win 5 years ago over jazza dickens

[Ruthless-RKO]

Not a Probellum card..

Probably gonna be a nobody... Just needs to keep busy.

he's been plenty busy, unbeaten in 33 fights

his problem isnt activity, it's having meaningful fights

at this rate, 5 years from now he'll be the 50-0-1 wba #1 , staying busy defeating guys ranked #300 in the world as he still awaits his shot. maybe another draw with a tough gatekeeper like essomba

i dont actually think he's particularly deserving of a shot either. best win 5 years ago over jazza dickens

It’s a wonder his previous promoters never pushed the orgs.

Just give him a shot and get it over with.

I really don’t believe he can win a world title.

Maybe a vacant one.

[Ruthless-RKO]

lmao, tommy ward vs tba, what else is new, record absolutely loaded with meaningless fights

You’ve always got something to say against Tommy haha

[margaret thatcher]

i think he's a fairly skilled boxer, back around when he fought in the usa on showtime i was praising him a lot. but since then he's had 7 meaningless fights. well i guess essomba is decent, but he didnt actually win that

usually guys unbeaten in 33 fights are top end, world champ types. not guys fighting again and again on undercards vs world #200-300s

[Ruthless-RKO]

any news on who will replace TBA?

[Dioufy]

Featherweight WBA route is not one id be favouring

[brilo33]

mad how you forget about fighters , he is decent boxer tommy give anyone a good fight

[steve689]

He’s had a right odd career, Ward. Long, impressive record on the eye, but with closer inspection it lacks big names. Didn’t he turn up on a ShoBox card at one point?

[Ruthless-RKO]

He’s had a right odd career, Ward. Long, impressive record on the eye, but with closer inspection it lacks big names. Didn’t he turn up on a ShoBox card at one point?

Pretty sure he did.

He was on a DAZN card recently in the States too. Just a filler really.

[tigermoth87]

Good boxer, wasting hos career fighting on bums. If you want a title shot, stop fighting shit. Shocking resume for someone with 32 wins.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Ward won via 3KO

[margaret thatcher]

another meaningless fight for ward

[punchoutsb]

Surely there has to be someone good next for Tommy.