Micky Ward

George Michael Ward Jr. (born October 4, 1965), often known by his nickname, "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 devastating left hook to the body and his relentless pressure fighting style. From 2001-2003 Ward featured in 3 straight Fights of the year. Ward was portrayed by Mark Wahlberg in the 2010 film The Fighter, which was based on his early career. After retirement he has become a philanthropist.

His maternal great-grandmother Annie Greenhalge (Carroll) was born in Ireland, the daughter of Michael and Mary (Flood) 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 arrived in Boston, Massachusetts. They settled in the Acre neighborhood of Lowell, Massachusetts and worked as laborers and millworkers. Ward was born to his parents Alice and George Sr. He grew up in Lowell with his brother Dickie along with 7 sisters. Besides boxing Ward also played a variety of other sports growing up such as baseball as well as earning a reputation as a formidable free safety on the gridiron and establishing himself as a worthy wrestler on the mats, even winning a Lowell city tournament in junior high.^[1] Ward would attend Lowell High school.

At the age of 12 Ward would sit ringside when his brother Dickie fought Sugar Ray Leonard.^[2] Ward would later credit his brother as one of inspirationtions for starting his boxing career. Dickie would struggle with legal and substance abuse problems but would still serve as Wards trainer for his entire career.^[3]

In 1972 at just the age of 7 Ward would complete in his first amateur bout this would be the start of a very successful amateur career. In 1977, at the age of eleven he entered and advanced to the finals of the New England Junior Olympics, before dropping a close decision to a fighter from Lynn in the championship. However he would end up winning the tournament the following year in 1978. With brother Dicky by his side Ward would continue to climb up the Amateur rankings. As in 1980 he would capture gold in the 90-pound division at Silver Mittens after finishing runner up in 1978 and 1979. Then in 1983, he fought and won the New England AAU tournament earning a trip to Lake Placid, New York for the regional finals. There, he met and befriended a 16-year old phenom, Mike Tyson, who was competing in the tournament’s heavyweight division.^[1] Ward would win the regional tournament at the 139 pound division then earning a trip to nationals in Colorado Springs. On top of this Ward was also a three-time New England Golden Gloves champion boxer.^[4] He would finish with a amateur record of 62-10.

Ward would have his first pro bout on June 13, 1985 in Lawrence, Massachusetts defeating David Morin by TKO in the first round. He would then win his second fight in his home town of Lowell getting a 4th round TKO victory of Greg Young. Coming off back to back knockout wins in his home state of Massachusetts Ward would then travel down to Atlantic City to meet matchmaker Teddy Brenner.^[5] Looking to push his career forward Ward then quickly applied to on a card down in Atlantic City. However New Jersey Athletic Commission rules stated that fighters must wait a mandatory two weeks in between bouts, and when filing the paperwork to be on the Atlantic City card, Ward’s team bumped up the date of his last fight in order to fall into the criteria of this mandate. The NJ athletic commissioner Joe Walcott caught the over site and suspended Ward for an unspecified period of time. Walcott would retire in December 1985 and Larry Hazzard would take over his position lifting Wards suspension immediately and giving him a clean slate. Hazzard would later state “Waiving Micky Ward’s suspension is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made”.^[1] Now with his suspension lifted Ward would make his Atlantic City debut on January 10, 1986. Getting a 3rd round TKO of Chris Bajor. This would kick off Wards relationship with the City. As his next 6 fights would all take place in Atlantic City. Ward would win all 6 fights 4 of them coming by way of KO.^[6] His time in Atlantic City would also help aid the progression of his career due to the visibility he received on national television through ESPN’s Top Rank Boxing program as they dubbed Atlantic City there home base for their weekly Saturday night fights. (Ward would end up having a record 28 fights on ESPN).^[1] However for his 10th pro fight Top Rank boxing would follow Ward back to his home town of Lowell. Where he would face a fellow top prospect out of Massachusetts John Rafuse which would result in a 8 round unanimous decision for Ward. Following two more convincing wins bringing his record to 12-0. Ward then got the call to be on the undercard for the April 6th, 1987 ‘Fight of The Century also marking the first time he would head out west to fight in Las Vegas.^[1] Ward would make the most of this opportunity beating Kelly Koble via TKO in the 4th round. He would then return to Atlantic City for his next bout vs Derrick McGuire once again winning by TKO in the 4th round improving to 14-0. During his next fight he would come up short to Edwin Curet by split decision losing his first pro fight. He would recovery nicely though as he would get a first round TKO of Joey Ferrell in his next fight. He would then pick up back to back unanimous decision victories over Joey Oliver’s and David Silva. However he would drop his next fight to Mike Mungin via unanimous decision but would then score a 3rd round TKO of Francisco Tomas da Cruz in his following bout. After accumulating a 19-2 record Ward would earn his first title shot when he would fight Frankie Warren for USBA light welterweight title but he would fail to capture the title losing a unanimous decision.^[6] Ward would then win his next to bouts getting a 5th round TKO of Clarence Coleman and a split decision over David Rivello. However, his career leveled off, and after some though match making he would end up losing his next four fights in 1990/91(2 of these would be title bouts). Ward would then make the decision to go into his first retirement from boxing to focus on being a father to his daughter Kasie and to work and live a regular blue-collar life.^[7][1]

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.^[7] Ward would find himself back in a boxing gym when Lowell police chief Mickey O’Keefe asked Ward just to swing by the gym and work out with him a little. “ It was a no pressure offer so I did. As soon as I got back in there it felt good. I did miss it. Slowly I started getting in there a little more and more and before you knew it we were training somewhat regularly.”^[1] During the training O’Keefe implemented a host of strength based drills and exercises. The results gave Ward a new level of raw strength and confidence helping lead him to his eventual return to the ring. Besides Wards physical changes there was a second noticeable change as well. Before his retirement in 1991, Ward’s style was similar to his brother Dickie’s. Lots of boxing, lots of movement. With the new physique and his increased power, he now wanted to refine his approach in the ring. Ward stated “I wasn’t going to be dancing anymore I was going to move forward and punch with intention.”^[1] So when Wards long time head trainer his brother Dickie got released from jail Ward was finally ready to make a come back.^[8]

Ward would end up making a successful comeback having his first bout in nearly 3 years on June 17, 1994. Where he would get a 5th round TKO vs Luis Castillo. From here Ward would go on to win his next 4 fights all coming by KO/TKO. This would lead to him earning a shot at the WBU Intercontinental light welterweight title Vs undefeated 31-0 Louis Veader. The bout would take place at the FleetCenter in Boston Massachusetts. Ward would end up dropping Veader with a left hook to the body in the 9th round winning the title by TKO. Ward would grant Veader an immediate rematch 3 months later successfully deafening the title winning by unanimous decision.^[9]

Coming off back to back big wins Ward was then scheduled to fight Julio Cesar Chavez on December 6, 1996. The bout would be the biggest of his career. But then on December 1, five days before the fight, Chavez pulled out of the match, claiming he hurt his hand while training. Against the advice of his team Ward would take a last minute replacement fight vs Manny Castillo the fight would be a 10 round slugfest but Ward would ultimately win via split decision.^[1]

During his next fight in a co main event spot on Pernell Whitaker vs. Oscar De La Hoyaa. 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 16-0 Mexican Alfonso Sanchez in a fight that Ward, up to then, was clearly losing on points. Shortly before the punch, Emanuel Augustus said the fight should be stopped (which referee Mitch Halpern had threatened to do if Ward didn't "show [him] something"); afterwards HBO boxing commentator Larry Merchant called it one of the most extraordinary things he'd ever seen in boxing.^[10]

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.

After going on a 9 fight winning streak since his comeback 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,^[6] and Phillips was awarded the bout via TKO. This would be the only stoppage loss of Wards entire career. After the fight Ward was told by his doctor if the cut went any deeper he could have lost sight in his eye.^[11] Ward would then take 8 months off to fully recover. Making his return on April 14, 1998 Ward would get a 3rd round KO victory over Mark Fernandez. However in his next fight Ward again would come up short in a title fight, as he lost a 12-round decision against Zab Judah.^[6] Judah would later credit Ward as the toughest fight of his career.^[12] After this Ward would string together back to back wins. Beating Jose Mendez by 3rd round TKO and forcing a 5th round RTD of Jermal Corbin. Coming off back to back wins Ward found himself back in another high caliber match up vs WBA contender Reggie Green who took at the time WBA light welterweight champion Sharmba Mitchell to a majority decision in his previous fight. Green dominated most of the early rounds resulting in multiple cuts on Wards face. Green led on the score cards going into the final round. But once again Ward would show his grit and slowly climbed back into the fight eventually hitting Green with a flurry of body shots resulting in a 10th round TKO with just 30 seconds left in the fight. The bout would become an instant classic and would finish runner up for the 1999 fight of the year.^[1][13]

After the fight Teddy Atlas remarked "That was truly fighting. This is a barbaric thing at the core of it. It ain't always pretty but it's real. Like the mobsters say, that was a real guy up there. When it came down to what a fighter is about, Micky Ward was it. That is what a fight is and you don't see it too often no more”.^[13]

After coming off his big win vs Green, Ward traveled to London in March 2000 to challenge the undefeated 22-0 WBU Light Welterweight Champion, Shea Neary, the fight was a high-paced, action-packed slugfest. But Ward would take over during the 8th round. Knocking Neary down then earning a TKO soon after winning the WBU world title and silencing the London crowd.^[6] Putting a end to Neary’s four year reign. At the end of the fight HBO commentator Larry Merchant simply stated “He’s done it again folks”.^[1] Ward, however, never defended the title. In his next fight Ward would end up in a contenders bout Vs Antonio Díaz this would result in a close unanimous 95-94 decision loss for Ward. He would then bounce back with an impressive round 1 KO of Steve Quinonez in his next fight. Wards following fight which seen him get a ten-round unanimous decision victory over Emanuel Augustus (then known as Emanuel Burton) was voted The Ring magazine's 2001 Fight of the Year as well as ESPNs 2001 Fight of the Year.^[14] The fight has been described as thirty minutes of chaotic, intense, non-stop carnage with both fighters throwing punches to the point of exhaustion with Ward scoring a knockdown in the 9th round with a left hook to the body. At the end of the 4th round Teddy Atlas stated “Fans, at this break, call all your friends. We’re in the midst of a classic.”^[15] The fight would later be nominated for ESPNs fight of the decade. Ward would face Jesse James Leija in his next fight he would lose the bout somewhat controversially by a split TD after Leija was cut from an accidental head clash.

On May 18, 2002, Ward faced the opponent with whom he became most identified, Arturo Gatti little did both men know that it would end up being one of the best bouts of all time.^[16] The fight was a wild one, highlighted by the intensity and the back-and-forth nature of the fight but a ninth round Ward knockdown of Gatti via a left hook to the body proved to be the difference, with Ward winning a majority decision. The fight was later named the 2002 Ring magazine fight of the year as well as the Boxing Writers Association of America fight of the year. The bout has been acclaimed as the “Fight of the Century” by boxing fans and writers. The 9th round of the fight which seen both men exchange brutal shot after brutal shot has also been referred to as the Round of the Century by Emanuel Steward and other boxing writers.^[17] It was also awarded the The Ring magazine Round 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."^[7]

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.^[7] The fight was named the 2003 Ring magazine fight of the year, the third straight for Ward.^[18] 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.^[19]

Gatti vs Ward I & III are also part of HBO's 10 best fights of the decade.^[20]

Before the 3rd fight Ward announced it would be his last. Even after promters, loosely floated a couple of potential big money fights Ward’s way to gauge if there was any type of interest, but Ward stayed true to his word and retired.

By the end of the trilogy Ward and Gatti ended up creating a strong friendship. When asked about his bond with Gatti this is what Ward had to say. “We were more than fighters we were brothers. Every punch we threw at each other brought us closer. Losing him was like losing a part of myself.”^[21]

Wards fights with Gatti are still looked back on fondly by many fans and writers to this day, and is listed as one of the greatest trilogy’s of all time.^[22]

As for Ward himself he is still remembered today for his unmatched heart, grit, brutal fights and devastating left hook to the liver. After setbacks in his professional and personal lives, Ward was able to rise to the top of the boxing world due to his determination and undying desire. He was a man of the blue collared people of Lowell and took them all on an incredible journey.^[8]

Ward still lives in Lowell, where he is part owner of both a boxing gym as well as an outdoor hockey rink.^[23] 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, who trains new boxers entering its academy.^[24]

Even after retirement Ward would still go back to his old blue collar job of paving roads stating once stating “I was going crazy not working”.^[25] He also trains a couple of different fighters on and off. Some of these Include Joan Guzman, Charles Rosa as well as being Arturo Gatti’s head trainer for his last fight.^[26][27] On top of this Ward has become a motivational speaker.^[28]

He would be honored by the Irish American community when he was given the Irish American Hero Award in 2006.^[29] He would later be named to Irish Americas top 100 in 2011.^[30]

Ward would be awarded the James A. Farley Award in 2010. For his lifelong Honesty and integrity in the sport of boxing.

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.^[31]

Ward has also become a strong proponent of brain trauma education. He has been very open with his own experiences with the condition along with doing work with the Concussion Legacy Foundation. On top of this he has pledged his brain and part of his spinal column to Boston University to help further the study of CTE to help future boxers and other athletes.^[32]

Ward would get to drop the ceremonial puck at a Boston Bruins game on February 11, 2011. Later that same year would he would throw out the ceremonial first pitch at a Boston Red Sox game on September 21.^[33]

Ward was presented with the Boxing Legacy Award at “The Tradition” a yearly event celebrating New England sports. Ward was also part of the Sports Museum’s class of 2011 at the TD Garden.^[34]

In 2019 Ward would be inducted into the Atlantic City boxing Hall of fame.^[35]

In 2021 with the help of his nephew Ward would launch his own apparel line named Micky Ward Apparel CO. Offering a wide variety of items from gym wear, everyday clothing and golf accessories.^[36]

Ward was inducted into the National boxing Hall of Fame in 2024.^[37]

In 2003 Ward ran the Boston Marathon to raise money for the charity Kids in Disability Sports (K.I.D.S.) 3 years later in 2006 Ward would once again run the Marathon to raise money for the same organization.^[38]

Moved by the impact he was able to make in helping out the non-profit, he started his own charity named team Micky Ward charities to help facilitate similar efforts on a larger and more frequent scale for children in need. On top of this the charity provides financial assistance to children and families in need to help improve their everyday quality of life as well as helping local community and youth.^[39] They raise money through various events such as Wards annual golf tournament in June, his fall motorcycle rally and a 5k called Micky’s run.^[1] The charity also donates money to local food pantries.^[40]

Ward also makes numerous one off appearances at other local charity events to help raise money.^[41]

In 2011 Ward would guest Bartended at a local bar to help raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.^[42]

In 2013 Ward would hold a motorcycle rally through Milford to help raise money for the Boston Marathon bombing victims and heroes.^[43]

In 2020 Wards boxing gym would host an event to help raise money for the charity punch for parkinson's.^[44]

The story of Ward's comeback and rise to fame was made into a 2010 feature film, The Fighter, starring Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale as his brother Dicky (Whalberg was nominated for the Golden Globe for Best Actor) as Ward. The movie would see critical acclaim being nominated for several Academy Awards and winning a ESPY for ‘Best Sports Movie. In 2011, 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.^[45]

Lowell hip hop artist D-Tension released the song, '’One Hit to the Body'’ which Micky used as his ring entrance music for the On May 18, 2002 Ward-Gatti bout.

Philadelphia hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks released two remixes to their single, Animal Rap from their third album Visions of Gandhi (2003), 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.^[46][47] He also makes an appearance in the music video of the bands song Going out in style.^[48]

Ward´s life is chronicled in a biography by Bob Halloran entitled Irish Thunder: The Hard Life and Times of Micky Ward.^[9]

Ward is credited for helping with the boxing technique and training used for the music video of Good Vibrations by Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch.

In 2016 Dennis Taylor and John Raspanti would release a book named Intimate Warfare. It would tell the story of Wards trilogy with Arturo Gatti and their eventual friendship.^[49]

The game Fight Night Round 3 (2006) features Ward and Gatti on the cover (PS2 and Xbox versions only).^[50]

The boxing game Undisputed features Wards boxing gym as a playable arena.^[51]

• WBU light welterweight champion
• WBU Intercontinental light welterweight champion

• New England Golden Gloves champion 1980
• New England Golden Gloves champion 1981
• New England Golden Gloves champion 1982
• New England Junior Olympics champion 1978
• Silver Mittens 90-pound division champion 1980
• New England AAU tournament champion 1983 (139 pound division)
• AAU Lake Placid regional tournament champion 1983 (139 pound division)

• The Ring magazine's 2001 Fight of the Year vs Emanuel Augustus
• ESPN 2001 fight of the year vs Emanuel Augustus
• The Ring magazine 2002 fight of the year vs Arturo Gatti I
• The Boxing Writers of America 2002 Fight of the Year vs Arturo Gatti I
• The Ring magazine 2003 fight of the year vs Arturo Gatti III

• The Ring magazine 2002 Round of the Year vs Arturo Gatti I
• USA Today’s 2002 ‘Round of the Year vs Arturo Gatti I
• BWAA James A. Farley Award (2010)
• The tradition Boxing Legacy award (2011)
• Atlantic City boxing hall of fame (class of 2019)
• National boxing hall of fame (class of 2024)

• inaugural Ted Williams Globe & Anchor Award (2002)^[52]
• Irish American Hero Award (2006)
• The Boston Sports Museum’s class of (2011)
• Irish America’s Top 100 (2011)
• JFK National Award (2016)^[53]

Ward was known for known for his relentless pressure fighting style, power and shots to the body.^[54] This includes his devastating left hook to the liver that was usually set up with a tap to the head. He had the ability to withstand lots of punishment while waiting to land the shot suddenly dropping opponents as seen in his fight with Alfonso Sanchez.

Wards former opponent Undisputed champion Zab Judah would later state “Ward had a body shot that would stop a donkey”. “^[55]

A perennial underdog with an unmatched heart. Ward was also known for his conditioning and chin being part of many be action packed slug fest throughout his career as seen in his trilogy with Arturo Gatti.^[56]

Non-fiction

• A Warrior's Heart: The True Story of Life Before and Beyond The Fighter (2012)

• Halloran, Bob. Irish Thunder: The Hard Life & Times of Micky Ward (Lyons Press, 2010) ISBN 978-0-7627-6986-5
• Cooley, Will. "'Vanilla Thrillas': Modern Boxing and White-Ethnic Masculinity," Journal of Sport and Social Issues 34:4 (November, 2010), 418–437.
• Raspanti, John J. and Taylor, Dennis. "Intimate Warfare: The True Story of the Arturo Gatti vs. Micky Ward Boxing Trilogy" [Rowman and Littlefield], (2016.) ISBN 978-1442273054
• Ward, Micky with Layden, Joe. A Warrior's Heart: The True Story of Life Before and Beyond The Fighter [Berkley Books], (2013.) ISBN 978-0-425-24755-6

Media related to Micky Ward at Wikimedia Commons

• Official website
• Boxing record for Micky Ward from BoxRec (registration required)
• Team Micky Ward Charities