Micky Ward

For the rugby union player, see Micky Ward (rugby union).

Micky Ward
Ward in March 2011
Born	George Michael Ward Jr. (1965-10-04) October 4, 1965 Lowell, Massachusetts, U.S.
Other names	"Irish"
Statistics
Weight(s)	Light welterweight
Height	5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
Reach	70 in (178 cm)
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	51
Wins	38
Wins by KO	27
Losses	13

George Michael Ward Jr. (born October 4, 1965), often known by his nickname, "Irish" Micky Ward, is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1985 to 2003. He challenged once for the IBF light welterweight title in 1997, and held the WBU light welterweight title in 2000. Ward is widely known for his trilogy of fights with Arturo Gatti, two of which received Fight of the Year awards by The Ring magazine, as well as his relentless pressure fighting style. Ward was portrayed by Mark Wahlberg in the 2010 film The Fighter, which was based on his early career.

Ancestry

His maternal great-grandmother Annie Greenhalge (Carroll) was born in Ireland, the daughter of Michael and Mary (Flood) Carroll. His maternal great-great-great grandparents Peter McMahon and Ann Quinn were from County Tyrone, Ireland. They fled Ireland during the 1850s to escape from poverty and oppression and arrived in Boston, Massachusetts. They settled in the Acre neighborhood of Lowell, Massachusetts and worked as laborers and millworkers.

Career

Ward was a three-time New England Golden Gloves champion boxer who turned pro in 1985, winning his first fourteen fights. However, his career leveled off, and after losing four consecutive fights in 1990/91, Ward took a hiatus from boxing. During Ward's time away from the sport, he used some of the funds from his day job on a road-paving crew to have surgery on his right hand, which had given him problems during several bouts. The surgery used some of the bone from Ward's pelvis to strengthen and fuse the bones in his hand.

Ward was successful in his return, winning his first nine fights, and won the WBU's Light Welterweight Title in a fight against Shea Neary in 2000. He never defended the belt once.

In a 1997 match that would come to typify the exceptional power of Ward's left hook to the body, he scored a 7th-round knockout against the then-undefeated Mexican Alfonso Sanchez in a fight that Ward, up to then, was clearly losing on points. Shortly before the punch, Emanuel Augustus said the fight should be stopped (which referee Mitch Halpern had threatened to do if Ward didn't "show [him] something"); afterwards HBO boxing commentator Larry Merchant called it one of the most extraordinary things he'd ever seen in boxing.

Ward's left hook to the body later resulted in a first-round knockout of Steve Quinonez, and a nine-count knockdown of Arturo Gatti in their first fight.

Ward earned a 1997 IBF Light Welterweight Championship fight against champion Vince Phillips, but did not win the championship, as the fight was stopped in the third round due to cuts, and Phillips was awarded the bout via TKO. One year later, Ward again would come up short in a title fight, as he lost a 12-round decision against Zab Judah.

In 2000, Ward traveled to London to take on the WBU Light Welterweight Champion, Shea Neary, and earned a TKO in the eighth round to win the WBU title. Ward, however, never defended the title, and split his next four fights. His ten-round decision victory over Emanuel Augustus (then known as Emanuel Burton) was voted The Ring magazine's 2001 Fight of the Year.

Ward vs. Gatti trilogy

On May 18, 2002, Ward faced the opponent with whom he became most identified, Arturo Gatti. The fight was a wild one, but a ninth round Ward knockdown of Gatti proved to be the difference, with Ward winning a majority decision. The fight was later named the 2002 Ring magazine fight of the year. Both fighters needed care in a trauma center after the match.

The two agreed to an immediate rematch, and in November, Gatti was able to win the second wild fight, knocking Ward down in the third round, although he survived to finish the fight. Gatti paid tribute to Ward's tenacity after the fight, saying, "I used to wonder what would happen if I fought my twin. Now I know."

They then agreed to a third straight fight, and again, the fight was back and forth. Gatti pounded Ward with punch after punch early on, but Ward fought back and managed a sixth round knockdown of Gatti. Before Gatti could get up, or the referee's count could hit ten, the bell sounded to end the round. Gatti was able to come back and win the fight via a unanimous decision. Again, both men needed a trip to the hospital, due to the injuries they suffered. The fight was named the 2003 Ring magazine fight of the year, the third straight for Ward. Ward was the first fighter to achieve this since Rocky Marciano and Carmen Basilio each did so in the 1950s.

Ward made approximately $3 million in earnings for his trilogy with Gatti; the most lucrative fights of his career.

Life after boxing

Ward still lives in Lowell, where he is part owner of both a boxing gym as well as an outdoor hockey rink. Ward is married to Charlene Fleming, his longtime girlfriend, who is also a former athlete. He manages the boxing gym he owns with his half-brother and former trainer, Dicky Eklund, who trains new boxers entering its academy.

In his 2012 autobiography, Ward revealed that he had been sexually abused as a child by a friend of Dicky's, another boxer referred to only by his nickname, "Hammer". The abuse began when Ward was nine years old and continued for approximately three years, until he gained the confidence to confront his attacker. Ward would eventually face off against Hammer in one of his first amateur bouts, winning by unanimous decision.

In popular culture

The story of Ward's comeback and rise to fame was made into a 2010 feature film, The Fighter, starring Mark Wahlberg (who was nominated for the Golden Globe for Best Actor) as Ward. In 2011, Wahlberg confirmed to Spike TV that The Fighter 2 is in the works, which will focus on the legendary fight trilogy between Ward and Arturo Gatti.

Lowell hip hop artist D-Tension released the song, '’One Hit to the Body'’ which Micky used as his ring entrance music for the On May 18, 2002 Ward-Gatti bout.

Philadelphia hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks released two remixes to their single, Animal Rap from their third album Visions of Gandhi (2003), dubbed the "Micky Ward Mix" and "Arturo Gatti Mix".

The album The Warrior's Code by Dropkick Murphys features Ward on the cover, and he is also the subject of the title song. A live recording of the song is heard in The Fighter.

The game Fight Night Round 3 (2006) features Ward and Gatti on the cover (PS2 and Xbox versions only).

Professional boxing record

51 fights	38 wins	13 losses
By knockout	27	1
By decision	11	12

No.	Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round, time	Date	Location	Notes
51	Loss	38–13	Arturo Gatti	UD	10	Jun 7, 2003	Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
50	Loss	38–12	Arturo Gatti	UD	10	Nov 23, 2002	Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
49	Win	38–11	Arturo Gatti	MD	10	May 18, 2002	Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, U.S.
48	Loss	37–11	Jesse James Leija	TD	5 (10), 3:00	Jan 5, 2002	Freeman Coliseum, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.	Split TD after Leija was cut from an accidental head clash
47	Win	37–10	Emanuel Augustus	UD	10	Jul 13, 2001	Casino Ballroom, Hampton Beach, New Hampshire, U.S.
46	Win	36–10	Steve Quinonez	KO	1 (10), 3:03	May 18, 2001	Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S.
45	Loss	35–10	Antonio Díaz	UD	10	Aug 19, 2000	Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S.
44	Win	35–9	Shea Neary	TKO	8 (12), 2:55	Mar 11, 2000	London Olympia, London, England	Won WBU light welterweight title
43	Win	34–9	Reggie Green	TKO	10 (10), 2:40	Oct 1, 1999	Icenter, Salem, New Hampshire, U.S.
42	Win	33–9	Jermal Corbin	RTD	5 (10), 3:00	Jul 16, 1999	Casino Ballroom, Hampton Beach, New Hampshire, U.S.
41	Win	32–9	Jose Luis Mendez	TKO	3 (8)	Mar 17, 1999	The Roxy, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
40	Loss	31–9	Zab Judah	UD	12	Jun 7, 1998	Miccosukee Resort & Gaming, Miami, Florida, U.S.	For vacant USBA interim light welterweight title
39	Win	31–8	Mark Fernandez	KO	3 (8), 1:57	Apr 14, 1998	Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S.
38	Loss	30–8	Vince Phillips	TKO	3 (12), 2:49	Aug 9, 1997	The Roxy, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.	For IBF light welterweight title
37	Win	30–7	Alfonso Sanchez	KO	7 (10), 1:53	Apr 12, 1997	Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
36	Win	29–7	Manny Castillo	SD	10	Dec 6, 1996	Lawlor Events Center, Reno, Nevada, U.S.
35	Win	28–7	Louis Veader	UD	12	Jul 28, 1996	Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S.	Retained WBU Intercontinental light welterweight title
34	Win	27–7	Louis Veader	TKO	9 (12), 1:28	Apr 13, 1996	FleetCenter, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.	Won WBU Intercontinental light welterweight title
33	Win	26–7	Alex Ortiz	TKO	1 (6)	Mar 15, 1996	Wonderland Greyhound Park, Revere, Massachusetts, U.S.
32	Win	25–7	Alberto Alicea	TKO	3 (8)	Jan 26, 1996	Wonderland Greyhound Park, Revere, Massachusetts, U.S.
31	Win	24–7	Edgardo Rosario	TKO	1 (4)	Dec 30, 1995	Wonderland Greyhound Park, Revere, Massachusetts, U.S.
30	Win	23–7	Genaro Andujar	KO	3 (10)	Sep 10, 1994	Memorial Auditorium, Lowell, Massachusetts, U.S.
29	Win	22–7	Luis Castillo	TKO	5 (10)	Jun 17, 1994	Sheraton Inn, Lowell, Massachusetts, U.S.
28	Loss	21–7	Ricky Meyers	UD	10	Oct 15, 1991	Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
27	Loss	21–6	Tony Martin	UD	10	May 2, 1991	Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
26	Loss	21–5	Charles Murray	UD	12	Oct 18, 1990	Community War Memorial, Rochester, New York, U.S.	For vacant USBA light welterweight title
25	Loss	21–4	Harold Brazier	UD	12	Apr 26, 1990	Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.	For IBF Inter-Continental light welterweight title
24	Win	21–3	David Rivello	SD	10	Feb 3, 1990	Hynes Convention Center, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
23	Win	20–3	Clarence Coleman	TKO	5 (10), 2:50	May 23, 1989	Showboat, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
22	Loss	19–3	Frankie Warren	UD	12	Jan 15, 1989	Circus Maximus Showroom, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.	For USBA light welterweight title
21	Win	19–2	Francisco Tomas da Cruz	TKO	3 (10), 0:45	Dec 13, 1988	Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
20	Loss	18–2	Mike Mungin	UD	10	Sep 9, 1988	Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
19	Win	18–1	Marvin Garris	TKO	2 (10)	Jul 9, 1988	Sands, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
18	Win	17–1	David Silva	UD	10	May 19, 1988	Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
17	Win	16–1	Joey Olivera	UD	10	Feb 19, 1988	Bally's Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
16	Win	15–1	Joey Ferrell	TKO	1 (10), 2:36	Jan 15, 1988	Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
15	Loss	14–1	Edwin Curet	SD	10	Sep 25, 1987	Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
14	Win	14–0	Derrick McGuire	TKO	4 (8), 2:33	Aug 25, 1987	Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
13	Win	13–0	Kelly Koble	TKO	4 (8), 3:00	Apr 6, 1987	Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
12	Win	12–0	Hilario Mercedes	SD	8	Feb 24, 1987	Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
11	Win	11–0	Carlos Brandi	KO	2 (10), 2:55	Oct 24, 1986	Memorial Auditorium, Lowell, Massachusetts, U.S.
10	Win	10–0	John Rafuse	UD	8	Aug 29, 1986	Memorial Auditorium, Lowell, Massachusetts, U.S.
9	Win	9–0	Rafael Terrero	TKO	2 (6), 1:12	Jul 4, 1986	Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
8	Win	8–0	Ken Willis	PTS	6	Jun 15, 1986	Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
7	Win	7–0	Luis Pizarro	TKO	3 (6), 2:39	May 30, 1986	Harrah's at Trump Plaza, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
6	Win	6–0	Darrell Curtis	TKO	5 (6), 2:05	Apr 18, 1986	Harrah's at Trump Plaza, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
5	Win	5–0	Jesus Carlos Velez	KO	6 (6), 2:02	Feb 21, 1986	Harrah's at Trump Plaza, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
4	Win	4–0	Mike Peoples	UD	4	Jan 24, 1986	Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
3	Win	3–0	Chris Bajor	TKO	3 (4), 1:17	Jan 10, 1986	Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
2	Win	2–0	Greg Young	TKO	4 (4), 1:45	Aug 27, 1985	Memorial Auditorium, Lowell, Massachusetts, U.S.
1	Win	1–0	David Morin	TKO	1 (4), 1:20	Jun 13, 1985	Roll-On-America Skating Rink, Lawrence, Massachusetts, U.S.

Further reading

• Halloran, Bob. Irish Thunder: The Hard Life & Times of Micky Ward (Lyons Press, 2010) ISBN 978-0-7627-6986-5
• Cooley, Will. "'Vanilla Thrillas': Modern Boxing and White-Ethnic Masculinity," Journal of Sport and Social Issues 34:4 (November, 2010), 418–437.
• Raspanti, John J. and Taylor, Dennis. "Intimate Warfare: The True Story of the Arturo Gatti vs. Micky Ward Boxing Trilogy" [Rowman and Littlefield], (2016.) ISBN 978-1442273054

External links

Media related to Micky Ward at Wikimedia Commons

• Official website
• Boxing record for Micky Ward from BoxRec (registration required)
• Team Micky Ward Charities