No TV coverage in Ireland of Joe Ward's debut

Moate's Joe Ward makes his professional boxing debut this weekend but his bout is not expected to be included in Sky Sports' coverage of the fight night from New York.  

Ward's six-round contest against California's Marco Delgado takes place on a high-profile bill at Madison Square Garden which is topped by Gennady 'GGG' Golovkin's meeting with Sergiy Derevyanchenko.

The main event, which is expected to start at around 4am Irish time on Sunday, is being shown live on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland. 

However, in response to a query from the Westmeath Independent, a Sky spokesperson said Ward's fight is first on the bill and will be over before the Sky coverage begins at 2am. 

"Unfortunately, having spoken to the boxing team here, I have been told that as the first fight of the night, the Joe Ward fight won’t be broadcast – this is down to the host broadcaster I’m afraid," said Sky PR executive Jack McLean. 

In nine other countries, including the US, Canada, and Germany, the Ward fight and the other bouts on the card will be shown live on the subscription video streaming service DAZN.

Ward, who turns 26 later this month, will be facing a 27-year-old with a record of five wins and just one (split-decision) defeat. Four of Delgado's five wins have come inside the distance.

To step into the pro ring for the first time in such a famous arena will be a landmark moment in Ward's sporting journey.

While Delgado's record is worthy of respect, Ward will be aiming for an emphatic win and a performance which showcases the skills that earned him so many accolades as an amateur.

He has been training in New York and Los Angeles in recent weeks and, from images circulating on social media, he appears to be in terrific shape.

In one online post last Friday, Ward said he was counting down the days until he could "show the world what I have being training my whole life for."