Micky Ward


George Michael Ward Jr., often known by his nickname of "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 was born in Ireland, the daughter of Michael and Mary 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.

Amateur 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.

Professional career

Ward was successful in his return, winning his first nine fights, and won the WBU's Intercontinental Light Welterweight Title in a fight against Louis Veader. He defended the belt once, in a rematch against Veader.
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, Larry Merchant said the fight should be stopped ; afterwards 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 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, 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 as Ward. 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.
Philadelphia hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks released two remixes to their single, Animal Rap from their third album Visions of Gandhi, 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 features Ward and Gatti on the cover.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
51Loss38–13 Arturo GattiUD10Jun 7, 2003 Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
50Loss38–12 Arturo GattiUD10Nov 23, 2002 Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
49Win38–11 Arturo Gatti10May 18, 2002 Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, U.S.
48Loss37–11 Jesse James Leija5, 3:00Jan 5, 2002 Freeman Coliseum, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.Split TD after Leija was cut from an accidental head clash
47Win37–10 Emanuel AugustusUD10Jul 13, 2001 Casino Ballroom, Hampton Beach, New Hampshire, U.S.
46Win36–10 Steve QuinonezKO1, 3:03May 18, 2001 Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S.
45Loss35–10 Antonio DíazUD10Aug 19, 2000 Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S.
44Win35–9 Shea NearyTKO8, 2:55Mar 11, 2000 London Olympia, London, EnglandWon WBU light welterweight title
43Win34–9 Reggie GreenTKO10, 2:40Oct 1, 1999 Icenter, Salem, New Hampshire, U.S.
42Win33–9 Jermal Corbin5, 3:00Jul 16, 1999 Casino Ballroom, Hampton Beach, New Hampshire, U.S.
41Win32–9 Jose Luis MendezTKO3 Mar 17, 1999 The Roxy, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
40Loss31–9 Zab JudahUD12Jun 7, 1998 Miccosukee Resort & Gaming, Miami, Florida, U.S.For vacant USBA interim light welterweight title
39Win31–8 Mark FernandezKO3, 1:57Apr 14, 1998 Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S.
38Loss30–8 Vince PhillipsTKO3, 2:49Aug 9, 1997 The Roxy, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.For IBF light welterweight title
37Win30–7 Alfonso SanchezKO7, 1:53Apr 12, 1997 Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
36Win29–7 Manny CastilloSD10Dec 6, 1996 Lawlor Events Center, Reno, Nevada, U.S.
35Win28–7 Louis VeaderUD12Jul 28, 1996 Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S.Retained WBU Intercontinental light welterweight title
34Win27–7 Louis VeaderTKO9, 1:28Apr 13, 1996 FleetCenter, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.Won WBU Intercontinental light welterweight title
33Win26–7 Alex OrtizTKO1 Mar 15, 1996 Wonderland Greyhound Park, Revere, Massachusetts, U.S.
32Win25–7 Alberto AliceaTKO3 Jan 26, 1996 Wonderland Greyhound Park, Revere, Massachusetts, U.S.
31Win24–7 Edgardo RosarioTKO1 Dec 30, 1995 Wonderland Greyhound Park, Revere, Massachusetts, U.S.
30Win23–7 Genaro AndujarKO3 Sep 10, 1994 Memorial Auditorium, Lowell, Massachusetts, U.S.
29Win22–7 Luis CastilloTKO5 Jun 17, 1994 Sheraton Inn, Lowell, Massachusetts, U.S.
28Loss21–7 Ricky MeyersUD10Oct 15, 1991 Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
27Loss21–6 Tony MartinUD10May 2, 1991 Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
26Loss21–5 Charles MurrayUD12Oct 18, 1990 Community War Memorial, Rochester, New York, U.S.For vacant USBA light welterweight title
25Loss21–4 Harold BrazierUD12Apr 26, 1990 Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.For IBF Inter-Continental light welterweight title
24Win21–3 David RivelloSD10Feb 3, 1990 Hynes Convention Center, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
23Win20–3 Clarence ColemanTKO5, 2:50May 23, 1989 Showboat, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
22Loss19–3 Frankie WarrenUD12Jan 15, 1989 Circus Maximus Showroom, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.For USBA light welterweight title
21Win19–2 Francisco Tomas da CruzTKO3, 0:45Dec 13, 1988 Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
20Loss18–2 Mike MunginUD10Sep 9, 1988 Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
19Win18–1 Marvin GarrisTKO2 Jul 9, 1988 Sands, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
18Win17–1 David SilvaUD10May 19, 1988 Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
17Win16–1 Joey OliveraUD10Feb 19, 1988 Bally's Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
16Win15–1 Joey FerrellTKO1, 2:36Jan 15, 1988 Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
15Loss14–1 Edwin CuretSD10Sep 25, 1987 Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
14Win14–0 Derrick McGuireTKO4, 2:33Aug 25, 1987 Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
13Win13–0 Kelly KobleTKO4, 3:00Apr 6, 1987 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
12Win12–0 Hilario Mercedes8Feb 24, 1987 Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
11Win11–0 Carlos BrandiKO2, 2:55Oct 24, 1986 Memorial Auditorium, Lowell, Massachusetts, U.S.
10Win10–0 John RafuseUD8Aug 29, 1986 Memorial Auditorium, Lowell, Massachusetts, U.S.
9Win9–0 Rafael TerreroTKO2, 1:12Jul 4, 1986 Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
8Win8–0 Ken Willis6Jun 15, 1986 Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
7Win7–0 Luis PizarroTKO3, 2:39May 30, 1986 Harrah's at Trump Plaza, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
6Win6–0 Darrell CurtisTKO5, 2:05Apr 18, 1986 Harrah's at Trump Plaza, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
5Win5–0 Jesus Carlos Velez6, 2:02Feb 21, 1986 Harrah's at Trump Plaza, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
4Win4–0 Mike Peoples4Jan 24, 1986 Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
3Win3–0 Chris BajorTKO3, 1:17Jan 10, 1986 Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
2Win2–0 Greg YoungTKO4, 1:45Aug 27, 1985 Memorial Auditorium, Lowell, Massachusetts, U.S.
1Win1–0 David Morin1, 1:20Jun 13, 1985 Roll-On-America Skating Rink, Lawrence, Massachusetts, U.S.