When he was launching his ring career as a schoolboy at Dagenham Boxing Club, Martin J Ward dreamed of being involved in big title fights on live TV.
And he lives that dream as he defends his British super-featherweight title against Belfast boxer Anthony Cacace in a clash of unbeaten fighters at the SSE Arena Wembley on Saturday.
“These are the fights and belts I dreamed of as a kid,” said Ward, 25, ahead of his appearance on the show topped by the IBO world super-middleweight title clash between Chris Eubank Jnr and Arthur Abraham.
Cacace has won 15 in a row with Ward recording 17 victories and two draws as they meet on the busy Poxon Sports promotion.
“It’s a great chance for me to shine against a quality challenger with the added bonus of the vacant Commonwealth title at stake,” said Ward, who is trained by Tony Sims at the Matchroom gym in Brentwood.
Previously unbeaten stablemate Ohara Davies was stopped in seven rounds by Josh Taylor in Glasgow on Saturday and Ward knows 28-year-old Cacace could prove his toughest test to date.
The challenger has sparred extensively with former world champion Anthony Crolla and is quick to praises his title rival.
“Ward is a terrific fighter. Like me he is unbeaten, but my game plan is to stop him and to show everyone that I’m a new star of the sport,” said Cacace.
The Wembley title bill will be screened on ITV Box Office and also features Liverpudlian Robbie Davies Jnr, Welsh star Lee Selby and Yorkshire’s Kid Galahad.
National finalists Sonny Flack and Kerim Agius shared top billing at Dagenham BC’s awards night at the Eastbrook pub.
Schools’ finalist Flack and Youth runner-up Agius shared the AJ Harris Cup while Flack also collected the Jim Butler memorial cup as Best Schoolboy.
Tariq Agius won Best Club Boxer and Most Wins awards after six wins in seven contests.
Seniors Abdoul Toure and Martin Dimitrov, Haringey Box Cup gold medalists, took international honours awards.
The club’s newest prize – the Lawrence Okolie Shield – went to junior vice-captain Liam Carter as Freddie Hudson was named senior club captain and took the John Maloney Shield.
Female judge Amanda Gullefer was Official of the Year and experienced coach John O’Brien was the Most Valued member.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here