Delight as Ward lands European title tilt
MartinWard’sEuropeanUnion title challenge at Houghton is off – but it’s not bad news for the West Rainton boxer.
The gifted southpaw was scheduled to take on Cristian Rodriguez for the vacant super-bantamweight belt on Saturday, March 4.
But the Spaniard has been ruled out due to a disciplinary issue and Ward has been promoted to be the mandatory challenger to the European title, currently held by another Spanish fighter, Abigail Medina.
The European Boxing Union could have put forward a new EU opponent but instead have ordered Medina v Ward.
Ward-Rodriguez was the top of the bill contest at the Phil Jeffries-promoted event at the Rainton Meadows Arena and the show will go on with a new headliner.
TeamWardarethrilledwith the news and they will now look to begin negotiations to bring Medina to this country.
Coach Neil Fannan who, along with manager Dave Garside, has guided the diminutive dazzler every inch of the way in his pro career.
“We’d love to raise the money to tempt Medina over here,” said Fannan. “But I don’t think it will happen on the March 4 show.
“It really needs to be on a television show, to get Martin a more rewarding purse and some deserved exposure to a big audience.
“There are more TV channels showing boxing now and a European title fight should be on the telly. We’ll try to find a broadcaster.”
Fannan added: Medina looks good. “I watched his European title fight with Jamie McDonnell. He lost, but he never stopped trying from first to last.
“It looks a good fight but probably won’t take place until April or May and on a bigger show.
“We are over the moon with the decision of the EBU.”