Steven Ward knows he won’t cruise to new career goal

Steven Ward [12(4)-1(1)]admits life is easier now he doesn’t have to make light heavyweight, but he is well aware that doesn’t mean he will cruise toward achieving his next career goal.

‘The Quiet man’ has moved up the scales and will now compete at cruiserweight having excited the Golden Contract at the semi final stage.

The Newtownabbey nice guy is back in Manchester training – and although he hasn’t a set fight date he has a new short term goal.

The 30-year-old wants to become British champion at his new weight, but is well aware that won’t prove easy.

Indeed, with a domestic scene, that boasts the likes of champion RIchard Riakporhe, Chris Billam-Smith and Sam Hyde amongst others, he admits it could prove more difficult than winning a world title.

“I set a goal, I want to win the British title. Everyone’s goal is to become world champion, but obviously it’s a stepping stone, it’s a process,” said Ward.

“My Granddad always wanted me to win a British title. Sometimes it’s harder to get than a world title shot because you have to fight the best in Britain.”

Ward moves up on the back of a first round stoppage defeat to Ricards Bolotniks in the Golden Contract.

He reveals making the light heavyweight limit was a factor in that first career reverse, but claims it wasn’t the only one.

The Jamie Moore trained fighter admits he needs to make improvements and pay more attention to his team.

“Obviously the weight was a contributing factor, but there were other wee small things that we have to work on. I didn’t do some of the stuff that Nigel and Jamie asked of me,” he adds before expressing excitement with regard to the future.

“It’s a blessing in disguise but I am itching to get back at it now. I had a lot of success at cruiser as an amateur so I am looking forward to it. I feel happier in myself and I am enjoying training a bit more.”

Ward, who also suggested he may not be afforded cruiserweight feel out time, claims there is one person that may not be overlly supportive of his move up in weight, camp flat mate Carl Frampton.

“I don’t know what Frampton is like because I get to eat a wee bit more at home. When we are in the apartment he is still eating wee baby portions where as I get to eat bigger portions now.”