Tommy Ward v Robbie Turley: Hartlepool boxer won't waste chance against Carl Frampton victim

The unbeaten Hartlepool super-bantamweight takes on Robbie Turley in an eliminator for James “Jazza” Dickens’ Lonsdale Belt at Houghton on Saturday, March 5.

Ward will be stepping out of the shadow of elder brother, and inspiration, Martin, by taking centre stage for this England v Wales showdown.

“I’m grateful to promoter Phil Jeffries, my coach Neil Fannan, and my manager, Dave Garside for not only getting me a British title eliminator but getting it at home as well,” said the 21-year-old.

“I was supposed to be getting an English title fight but we couldn’t get an opponent.

“But this is better and I’m looking forward to it.

“Getting title opportunities, as we have seen with the English title, are not always easy, so when a chance comes I have to take it with both hands.

“I’m feeling great, training has gone really well and Neil’s happy.

“I couldn’t ask for a better training camp.

“Turley is a tough fighter – he’s been the full 10 rounds with Carl Frampton.

“He’s awkward so I need to be good technically and use my brain.”

Newport-born Turley, like Ward, has 16 wins on his record, but he has also lost five times, including that Celtic title clash with Frampton, who is now a world champion.

Victory would put the winner in line to challenge Dickens, who retained his title in the same ring last November in a bloodbath – against Tommy’s brother, Martin.

And Tommy says watching his sibling go punch for punch with the Scouser, who won by a split decision, has made his desire to win the British belt even stronger.

“It was a great fight between Martin and Jazza,” said the NES Securities-sponsored prospect.

“While it was a hard, gruesome fight I thought ‘I want to be part of something like this’.

“I’m looking forward to getting a victory against Turley and then moving on from there onto bigger and better things.”

Ward v Turley is only the tip of the iceberg for a bumper 13-contest event at the Rainton Meadows Arena.

Gus Robinson Developments boxer Richard O’Neill will be taking his second pro step with a four rounder.

So too will thrilling Thornley fighter Darren Surtees, who was superb on debut on that November show, beating Ryan McNicol, the diminutive Glaswegian retiring at the end of round two.

Surtees will be joined on the show by another team-mate from the Dave Binns gym at East Durham Community College in Peterlee.

Jay Hughes, 18, from Trimdon but now living in Crimdon, will be making his first professional appearance on March 5.

Promoter Jeffries sends out some of the region’s leading fighters, including Glenn Foot and unbeaten prospects Warren Baister, Thomas Essomba and Isaac Macleod.

For tickets, contact Neil on 07891101399.