(Canastota, NY – April 2014) The International Boxing Hall of Fame announced “Irish” Micky Ward, whose life was portrayed in the Academy Award-winning motion picture The Fighter, will return to Canastota to attend festivities planned for the 25th Annual Hall of Fame Induction Weekend June 5 to 9.
“Micky Ward was a true warrior inside the ropes,” said Hall of Fame director Edward Brophy. “The Hall of Fame is excited to welcome him back to Canastota to participate in the 25th anniversary celebration.”
Boxing out of Lowell, Mass. Ward was one of boxing’s most exciting fighters. He turned pro in 1985 and used a crowd-pleasing style to register a 38-13 (27 KOs) record that includes wins over Shea Neary, Reggie Green and Emanuel Burton. In 2002 and 2003 Ward engaged in an epic trilogy with Arturo “Thunder” Gatti (1-2). Following their third bout Ward announced his retirement from the ring. During his career, he was in “Fight of the Year” three times (2001 vs. Burton, 2002 and 2003 vs. Gatti). The Fighter, an Academy Award-winning motion picture chronicling his life, featured Mark Wahlberg as Ward and Christian Bale as his brother / trainer Dicky Eklund.
For more information on the Hall of Fame’s 25th Annual Induction Weekend, please call the Hall of Fame at (315) 697-7095 or visit online at www.ibhof.com.