BoxRec

Thomas Patrick Ward-Otabek Kholmatov Featherweight Eliminator Ordered By WBA

The lengthy delay in getting the WBA featherweight title consolidation bout over the line could work to the advantage of Thomas Patrick Ward.

An ordered featherweight title eliminator between County Durham’s Ward and Uzbekistan’s Otabek Kholmatov was announced by the WBA on Wednesday. The fight will determine the mandatory challenger to the overdue title consolidation clash between ‘Super’ champ Leo Santa Cruz (38-2-1, 19 KOs) and ‘World’ titlist Leigh Wood (26-2, 16 KOs).

Ward will have a tough assignment on his hands. It’s the exact road that the unbeaten Brit envisioned as he is now one win away from his first major title shot.

“I’ve never had anything easy in my career, so I knew that getting a straight shot at the world title was probably never going to happen,” Ward said upon learning of the ordered eliminator. “But this is a final eliminator, so I know that when I win, I am next in the line for a shot at the world champion. Everything is now moving in the right direction.

“I want to challenge all the champions in the world. It’s great that Santa Cruz and Wood are fighting and the whole WBA world title situation is moving forward.”

Ward (33-0-1, 5 KOs) advanced to the number-one spot in the WBA featherweight rankings through the combination of a March 25 win over Alexis Boureima Kabore in Newcastle and Michael Conlan’s stunning 12th round knockout loss to Wood earlier that month. He has since remained active with a third-round knockout of Ally Mwerangi on July 17 in Sunderland.

Kholmatov (10-0, 9 KOs) landed a timely unanimous decision win over Adranik Grigorian in their March 26 semifinal title eliminator between unbeaten challengers. It marked the first distance fight for the 24-year-old Uzbek, who lives and trains in Hollywood, Florida and who only turned pro last August.

“I don’t know very much about Kholmatov, but traditionally the Uzbek fighters are very well schooled,” acknowledged Ward. “I am already prepared for that, but I believe I am the best featherweight in the world.”

The respective teams for Ward (Probellum) and Kholmatov (Undisputed Boxing Championships Promoters, and manager Alex Vaysfeld) have until November 4 to negotiate terms for their title eliminator to avoid a purse bid hearing.

Can’t wait fit this. Newcastle I’m hearing! Come on Wardy. Absolute gent and the best pure boxer about. I have every faith in him.

Waiting for Mags to make the usual comment.

Thomas Patrick Ward Over The Moon With WBA Eliminator Against Kholmatov

As Boxing Scene reported on Thursday, Thomas Patrick Ward is getting his big chance in the forum of a final eliminator.

The WBA’s No1 contender has been ordered to face Uzbekistan’s Otabek Kholmatov to decide on who is next in line to fight for the world crown.

Leo Santa Cruz and Leigh Wood have been ordered to fight, to determine one champion in the weight class, and the winner would face Ward or No2 ranked Kholmatov.

Ward (33-0-1) has waited patiently for clarity from the WBA and plans on backing up his claims to be best boxer in the 126lbs division, by securing his world title shot with a victory over the 10-0 Kholmatov.

“I’ve never had anything easy in my career, so I knew that getting a straight shot at the world title was probably never going to happen,” Ward told Probellum.com.

“But this is a final eliminator, so I know that when I win, I am next in the line for a shot at the world champion. Everything is now moving in the right direction.”

Ward added: “I don’t know very much about Kholmatov, but traditionally the Uzbek fighters are very well schooled, so I am already prepared for that, but I believe I am the best featherweight in the world. I want to challenge all the champions in the world. It’s great that Santa Cruz and Wood are fighting and the whole WBA world title situation is moving forward.”

Great news

Will be on the Fury-Chisora 3 card.

ota seems pretty handy from a quick look. long, fast and mobile with that uzbek amatuer background. finally an interesting fight for patty

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑17 Oct 2022, 15:40 ota seems pretty handy from a quick look. long, fast and mobile with that uzbek amatuer background. finally an interesting fight for patty

We know urs Patty’s biggest critic.

cuz he has so much sh!te on his record despite being a skillful boxer. one of the fluffiest 33-0 recrods you'll ever see. this one is good though

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑17 Oct 2022, 16:38

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑17 Oct 2022, 15:40 ota seems pretty handy from a quick look. long, fast and mobile with that uzbek amatuer background. finally an interesting fight for patty

We know urs Patty’s biggest critic.

we do indeed and as they pronounce it in ireland maggie tadcher

Fight Week!!

TheGoods wrote: ↑07 Oct 2022, 16:14 Can’t wait fit this. Newcastle I’m hearing! Come on Wardy. Absolute gent and the best pure boxer about. I have every faith in him.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑28 Nov 2022, 06:57 Fight Week!!

Is this on the Williamson v Kelly undercard???

rio wrote: ↑28 Nov 2022, 09:08

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑28 Nov 2022, 06:57 Fight Week!!

Is this on the Williamson v Kelly undercard???

Fury-Chisora 3

EDIT.

I just checked and it's not on schedule now

Ward is long overdue a shot. Fair play to the guy. Top fella, deserves it.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑28 Nov 2022, 09:26

rio wrote: ↑28 Nov 2022, 09:08

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑28 Nov 2022, 06:57 Fight Week!!

Is this on the Williamson v Kelly undercard???

Fury-Chisora 3

EDIT.

I just checked and it's not on schedule now

I don’t think it was actually ever confirmed.

Nothing on Boxrec.

Fight Week!!

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑20 Feb 2023, 07:30 Fight Week!!

No. 4th of march

Is this show on TV?

dr_devious wrote: ↑20 Feb 2023, 08:40 Is this show on TV?

Not that I know off.

May get on youtube

Fight Week!!