Joe Ward recovered from a slow start to defeat Artjom Kasparian on the undercard of Aaron McKenna’s world title fight at the 3Arena in Dublin.
Now 32, Ward finally had the opportunity to box on a major show on Irish shores and it certainly delivered in terms of entertainment.
Entering what was just a 13th fight in seven years since turning professional, the Moate man described it as the beginning of the last chapter of his career. Defeat would undoubtedly make it a short one.
The early signs were not good as he struggled to settle into the contest with Ward out on his feet in the fourth due to sustained pressure from his opponent.
Ward was unable to cope with the volume of punches from Kasparian and it looked all over as a concerned Irish crowd watched on, mostly due to how little it appear the Irishman had in the tank.
The decorated amateur had not fought since a National Stadium card in October 2024 and it told in terms of fight fitness.
Despite coming into the fight in arguably the best shape in years, four rounds in it appeared the end was nigh due to the inactivity catching up with him.
But Ward hung on until the bell and from there his class, as well as a resolute chin, decided the fight.
Kasparian had come into tonight with an impressive record of 12 knockout wins in 14 fights, with no defeats, making Ward’s ability to deal with him even more impressive.
It was the English-based fighter’s turn to gas out in the second half of the 10-round contest as Ward finally found some rhythm and picked off his opponent.
The left hook continually delivered the goods for Ward and now it was Kasparian who looked like he would be the one to hit the canvas.
The 2016 Olympian found plenty in reserve to finally show the talent which brought such an excellent amateur career.
Having likely lost the opening four rounds, Ward won 97-93 on two cards and 96-94 on the other to take the win and carve out another major opportunity in the future in this twilight of his pro journey.
Callum Walsh (left) got the better of Tyler Denny
Callum Walsh took another step forward on his way to a major bout by defeating England’s Tyler Denny in an unanimous decision in the chief support bout.
Walsh has been a staple of the Zuffa Boxing roster since inception as he fought at the venue for a second time, having been based in America for all other 14 of his fights.
Cork fighter Walsh was in control from the vast majority of the contest, although he was judged to have come in contact with the canvas early in the first round.
He responded superbly to floor Denny in the second and an early night looked likely.
But the remainder of the fight was far from clean and left the crowd, and Walsh, frustrated.
Denny was very much in the contest, with Walsh doing enough to shade rounds.
The most interesting moment of an uneventful bout was when both fighters were deducted a point at the same time, Walsh for holding and Denny for punching to the back of the head.
Walsh responded to that later in the eighth round by unsteadying Denny with a nice combination, including a powerful left.
The scorecards read 98-91, 98-81 and 96-90, with victorious Walsh revealing afterwards that he suffered a hand and eye injury, the latter sustained in the second round.
It remains to be seen if he moves toward a title bout or a potential all-Irish clash.
Stevie McKenna won in the first round
Earlier Stevie McKenna produced one of the moments of the night with a thundering right hook against Owen O’Neill, which led to the end inside the first round.
McKenna, brother of Aaron who was headlining the show, entered the arena to a rapturous reception from the large crowd that has travelled from Monaghan.
He completely outclassed O’Neill who was sent flying into the air with a right hand.
The towel came in from the corner with less than 70 seconds gone in the fight.
McKenna called out Walsh in the aftermath of the victory.
Derry’s Connor Coyle had a hard-fought victory over American Mark Beuke in a 10-round middleweight contest.
Coyle won 98-93, 98-92 97-93 to move his undefeated record to 23 wins in as many bouts.
He will undoubtedly look to step up further after what was just a third fight on Irish soil.
Patrick O’Connor won the opening bout of the night as veteran Juan Manuel Moriel failed to hear the bell for the second round in a cruiserweight bout due to a shoulder injury.
The Dublin native, who moved to America as a child, dominated on his Zuffa debut for what was a routine success.