Joe Ward fights in Long Island, New York tonight as he seeks a fifth professional victory.
The three time European gold medallist is making waves in the US, with Waterford coach Jimmy Payne in his corner.
28-year-old Westmeath man Ward, a 15-time Irish champion, faces off with Leandro Silva tonight, a fight seen by some as a box-ticking exercise on the road to bigger and better things.
Jimmy Payne told WLR that preparations have gone well in the build-up to the bout.
"Preparations have really gone well. We were in Canada first. We had two weeks of a training camp and got great spars over there. Now we've moved on to the States, that was about three or four weeks ago. We've got in 7 or 8 really top-class spars. Joe is very sharp. We're really looking forward to it - he's in great condition, getting better and better every time."
Payne has done his homework on Ward's opponent this evening - and says he will prove an awkward proposition.
"He's very awkward, real tough. Silva always stays in the fight. He can be dangerous and packs a big punch. We've just got to be careful. I believe Joe's boxing ability will decide this. After two or three rounds, he can work really hard on him and we'll see where we go from there."
'It takes three years to be a world champion, it takes three minutes to lose it'
Complacency will not be slipping in to the Ward camp under any circumstances. The World Boxing Championhip medallist knows that the sky is the limit for him, and the US is where all boxers want to be - but you never look past your next fight.
'Mighty Joe' Ward told WLR that there is no one he would rather have in his corner than Jimmy Payne.
"Everything has gone really well. I just want to get in there, get the job done and move onto the next one. With my amateur pedigree, I'd expect to be at the highest level in the near future. It's all about hard work, dedication and staying focused. I won't overlook things. Jimmy has been a massive influence on me. To me, he's probably one of the best coaches in the world. I would have worked with Jimmy a few years ago in the amateur system."
He was part of my team going to the European Championships in Ukraine where I won my third gold medal. That was very special. Back then, I really liked the way he went about things. When I decided to go professional, I didn't want anybody else. I knew Jimmy would help take me to the next level. We've really took off together. We're striding towards glory."
'Kelyn has what it takes'
One of Ward's sparring partners, Waterford's very own Kelyn Cassidy - made headlines of his own this month. The 24-year-old Saviours Crystals man made it to the quarter-finals of his first World Boxing Championships in Belgrade, Serbia.
The pair, both light-heavyweights and southpaws, have often traded blows in the ring under Jimmy Payne's watchful eye.
Joe was thoroughly impressed with what Cassidy brought to the table on the international scene.
2 October 2021; Kelyn Cassidy of Saviours Crystal Boxing Club, Waterford, celebrates after victory over Tommy Hyde of St Michael's Boxing Club, Athy, Kildare, during their 80kg bout with Tommy Hyde of St Michael's Boxing Club, Athy, Kildare, at the IABA National Elite Boxing Championships Finals in the National Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
"Going to a major tournament, it's always going to be very very difficult to medal. The worlds are one of the toughest major championships out there. You can have anywhere between 40 and 60 guys in your weight. It could be four fights before you reach the medals. It's always very difficult - but Kelyn is a massive talent. He has everything that it takes to become a champion. With Paul Simpson as a coach, and the guys in St. Saviours - they've done a wonderful job with him."
Ward says that the pandemic has been a particularly difficult period for amateur boxers, and has separated the top from the rest.
"Since the pandemic, there's been no amateur tournaments. There hasn't been a lot of boxing. You can see a lot of guys going off the rails. I was delighted that Kelyn stuck in the gym. He obviously helped me out when I was preparing for my comeback. I was doing a lot of sparring with him. He has everything that it takes to go all the way. Once he keeps his feet on the ground and his mind on the job, the future will be very bright for him. Kelyn stole the show in the World Championships regarding the Irish team. He went out there and performed, bet an Olympian, that shows you the level that he's at with little international experience. I think from now to Paris, he has a real chance to progress and get to the level where he can be a World and Olympic medallist."
Boxing is a job where you never stop learning, and those willing to listen to learn are those that reap the rewards. With a potential feature on a Vasyl Lomachenko undercard and a St. Patrick's Day bout on US soil in the pipeline, Joe Ward's name is one you're going to be hearing a lot more of in the coming months. As his American Dream comes to fruition, Waterford will continue to play a starring role behind the curtain.
