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Steven Ward receives another “kick up the hole” from Carl Frampton and secures big fight date

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‘The Quiet Man’ has had his wishes fulfilled and will now experience the cauldron of noise that is a Frampton fight night at the SSE Odyssey Arena.

Following his knockout win on Saturday, Steven Ward [4(1)-0] called for a golden ticket and a place on the undercard of what could prove Carl Frampton’s last ever fight in Belfast.

Newtownabbey light heavy Ward claims ‘The Jackal’ has proved an inspiration – indeed a “kick in the hole” – to him, and he will now look to go from strength to strength on the July 29th fight night.

“I think everyone will be saying this, but I am hoping to get on the Frampton bill,” Ward said after his stoppage win over Istvan Orsos at the Waterfront Hall on Saturday.

Tonight Ward, along with Frampton’s stablemate Conrad Cummings, were confirmed for the bill alongside new Cyclone signing Chantelle Cameron.

It’s a special opportunity for Ward, who admits the success of Frampton was a major factor that inspired him to turn pro.

“That is the golden ticket,” he had noted. “Belfast comes to a stand still when Frampton fights. Carl is an idol over here, he is just phenomenal and a guy I look up to for what he has achieved.”

“When he is on a platform it’s one you want to be under. It would be a dream to fight on that card. Seeing what he has achieved is one of the reasons I turned over, it just gives you that kick up the hole. I think he has been an inspiration for a lot guys not just me.”

Ward, who has said he would be interested in how Steve Collins Jr and Paddy McDonagh’s Irish title clash plays out this weekend, is keen to get eight rounds under his belt to make himself title eligible.

Orsos was brought in with banking rounds in mind as he signed up to fight six for the first time, but Ward managed to take him out in the fourth.

Reflecting on last Saturday’s fight he noted that the scrap “was my first six rounder and I was really looking forward to getting six rounds. That is one of the reasons we brought this opponent in.”

“We were looking for someone durable because I want to get up to eight as soon as I can. As soon as we are up to eight we are in title contention.”

“It’s another win. I am happy enough with my performance. I wasn’t as sharp as I would have liked, I didn’t get enough sparing in because of a wee niggle, but no excuses. I did what I had to do.”

Photo Credit: Ricardo Guglielminotti – The Fighting Irish (@ThefIrish)

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