micky ward

George Michael Ward Jr., famously known as “Irish” Micky Ward, was born on October 4, 1965, in Lowell, Massachusetts. His early life in Lowell was marked by a diverse interest in sports, including baseball, wrestling, and football, ultimately leading him to boxing, inspired by his older brother Dicky Eklund. Ward began his amateur boxing career at age seven, culminating in a successful record of 62-10 and numerous titles, including three New England Golden Gloves championships and a New England AAU tournament win in 1983, where he befriended fellow competitor Mike Tyson. He turned professional in 1985, securing a TKO victory in his debut. His early career saw him fighting frequently in Atlantic City, gaining national exposure through ESPN’s ‘Top Rank Boxing.’ Despite initial success, Ward faced a challenging period from 1988 to 1991, marked by a series of losses and a career-threatening injury. This led to his first retirement in 1991 to focus on fatherhood and a blue-collar job.

After a three-year hiatus, during which he underwent hand surgery and adopted a new, more aggressive fighting style focused on power punching, Ward made a remarkable comeback in 1994. This second phase of his career saw him achieve significant milestones, including winning the WBU Intercontinental light welterweight title in 1996 by defeating the undefeated Louis Veader. A pivotal moment was his stunning 7th-round knockout of Alfonso Sanchez in 1997, achieved while he was behind on points, showcasing his devastating left hook to the body. Though he lost his 1997 IBF light welterweight title challenge against Vince Phillips due to a cut, Ward continued to deliver memorable performances. His 1999 TKO victory over Reggie Green, where he absorbed significant punishment before rallying in the final round, was a runner-up for Fight of the Year. This resilience culminated in his capture of the WBU light welterweight title in 2000 by defeating Shea Neary in London. Ward’s 2001 bout against Emanuel Augustus earned both ‘The Ring’ magazine and ESPN’s ‘Fight of the Year’ honors, further cementing his reputation as an exciting, relentless fighter.

The pinnacle of Ward’s professional career was his legendary trilogy of fights against Arturo Gatti between 2002 and 2003. The first encounter, a majority decision win for Ward in May 2002, was universally acclaimed as ‘The Ring’ magazine’s ‘Fight of the Year’ and featured what many consider the ‘Round of the Century.’ This fight, along with two subsequent hard-fought losses to Gatti, established an enduring friendship and solidified Ward’s legacy as a fighter with unparalleled heart and grit. His trilogy with Gatti earned him approximately $3 million, the most lucrative period of his career, and Ward became the first fighter since Rocky Marciano and Carmen Basilio to feature in three consecutive ‘Fight of the Year’ bouts. After a storied career, Ward retired in 2003, having left an indelible mark on the sport. Post-retirement, he has become a successful gym owner, coach, and motivational speaker, actively involved in philanthropy through Team Micky Ward Charities, supporting children in need and advocating for brain trauma education.