Joe Ward set for return to action in New York next month

Joe Ward looks set for a return to action in what will be New York City's first boxing show since the pandemic began.

The 27-year-old is being lined up to appear on a show that's taking place in The Theater at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, August 3.

While the final details have yet to be confirmed, the Moate man told the Westmeath Independent he's preparing to depart for Mexico later this week. He will have a two-week quarantine period there before travelling to New York for what will be his fifth professional fight.

Madison Square Garden was the venue for his pro debut, in October 2019, when he suffered a TKO defeat to Marco Delgado as a result of a freak knee injury in the second round.

Ward won his second and third fights by knockout in Mexico last December and then avenged the defeat to Delgado in his last contest, outpointing the 29-year-old Californian by unanimous decision in their rematch in Puerto Rico in March.

The upcoming bout on August 3 marks the start of a monthly Tuesday night fight series from the Theater at Madison Square Garden, a venue located beside the main Garden arena where Ward previously fought.

"It's a place with a lot of history to it and some great Irish fighters have fought there," said Ward.

"I'm delighted to be getting back into the ring, and to be taking part in a big show. It says a lot for my team that they're giving me the opportunity to fight in big shows like these, and I'm really looking forward to it.

"I believe my last fight wasn't my best performance, so I really want to put on a performance and get the ball rolling," he said.

The main event at the August 3 show will see US heavyweight contender Michael Hunter taking on Mike Wilson.

The bouts are due to be streamed on FITE and Triller TV, and the event will also feature a rap battle between East Coast hip hop artists N.O.R.E. and Beanie Sigel after the boxing main event concludes.