WARD TO LINE OUT WITH BRITISH LIONHEARTS IN WSB

Joe Ward

 
World Elite finalists Joe Ward has teamed up with the British Lionhearts for the new World Series of Boxing (WSB) which begins next month.

The Westmeath light-heavy, the current European Elite champion, could line out for the Lionhearts versus the Croatia Knights in Gateshead on February 16.

The Lionhearts and Knights are in a four-team European group which also includes the French Fighting Roosters and Italia Thunder.

Ward won five of six fights for the Lionhearts in the 2012/13 season.

“It’s about giving yourself the opportunity. I look forward to the WSB and boxing with the British Lionhearts,” said Ward, a three-time World Elite medallist.

Three of Ireland’s eight boxers – 37% –  at Rio 2016, Paddy Barnes, Michael Conlan and Steven Donnelly, qualified through the WSB.

Ireland’s boxers have signed up for every WSB season since the inaugural season in 2010.