Hartlepool boxer Tommy Ward can enjoy night in spotlight against Robbie Turley

The gifted 21-year-old will top a bill for the first time in his fast-advancing career when he faces Robbie Turley in a British super-bantamweight championship eliminator at Houghton on Saturday, March 5.

Ward has won all 16 of his professional appearances and Fannan is confident that figure will increase to 17 against the Welshman.

Tommy has often had to play second fiddle to elder brother Martin, no surprise given the standing of his sibling in the sport.

Neil Fannan speaks about Tommy Ward (in cap) at the boxing press conference at Houghton

But, with Martin not on the bill a fortnight today, the spotlight is firmly on Tommy at the Rainton Meadows Arena.

“I think Tommy will raise his game even more if he gets greater attention,” said coach Fannan. “That was one of the reasons why I wanted to split them up on this show.

“I just wanted Tommy to concentrate on himself and lap up all the attention.

“I have no issues over how he’ll handle the night.

“Tommy has great belief that he’s going all the way in boxing – it’s all he lives for, all he dreams of.”

Tommy will start as thefavourite, though only marginally.

Turley, from Cefn Forrest in South Wales, may have been around the block, but, at the age of 29, is hardly past it.

“Turley is very awkward and the fight will be harder than some people think,” said Fannan.

“If you looked at Tommy’s last couple of fights and Turley’s you would say Tommy is the more talented man and in-form boxer.

“But when you watch Turley, he is an awkward fighter and I think that sometimes counts for a lot in the ring.

“I have no doubt he’ll be very, very fit and very, very game.

“He’ll come full of determination because there is a prize at the end of it.

“But Tommy has looked fantastic in training and I have high hopes for him in this fight.”

While Tommy still has two weeks to wait to get through the ropes, Martin is in action tonight in Manchester.

As SportMail reported this week, the 27-year-old is boxing for the first time since losing in a chllenge for the British super-bantam title against holder Jazza Dickens last November.

The southpaw is fully healed from 30-plus stitches to head wounds and this evening faces Lithuania’s Simas Volosinas at the Hilton Hotel over four rounds.

For ticket info for the Ward v Turley bout, call Neil on 07891101399.