When Irish Micky Ward Was King
By Robert Brizel, Head RCM Boxing Correspondent
In 51 professional bouts between 1985 and 2003, Irish Micky Ward’s chin was solid. He was stopped only once, in a world title bout. An Irish American super lightweight boxer out of Lowell, Massachusetts, his career arrived at superstar status on television in the last three bouts he fought in his final year as a professional boxer.
Ward’s first bout against the late Arturo Gatti in May 2002 resulted in what the late Emanuel Steward called “This might be the round of the century.” Ward knocked down Gatti with a left hook to the body. Ward, due to a point taken away from Gatti in round four due to a low blow, won the first confrontation with Gatti 95-93, 94-93, 94-94 by 10 round majority decision at Mohegan Sun Casino, in Uncasville, Connecticut.
Arturo Gatti would win 10 round rematches with Ward in November 2002 and June 2003 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. The boxing trilogy fought between Ward and Gatti ranks as perhaps the most competitive in boxing history, memorable because fight fans got their money’s worth and a lot more. They just don’t make great Irish fighters like they used to. Ward’s knockout ratio was over 50% (27 of 51), and his heart was made of gold.
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