Ward boxed as an amateur from 1967–1977.[2] His original professional boxing career lasted from 1977 to 1987. After an industrial accident injured his foot leading to complex regional pain syndrome, he was treated by a Hong Kong surgeon recommended by a fellow martial artist when training at a gym. He then resumed boxing training including running for up to 10 mi (16 km) and made a comeback in 2010 against Gregg Scott-Briggs to win the Midlands Area Cruiserweight belt.[6] He then successfully defended the title against Pete McJob in March 2011,[7] and again with a unanimous points decision against Keifer Bentley in June 2011.[8]
Ward received the 2012 Sportsperson of the Year accolade at Mansfield's Sports Recognition Awards, a local yearly ceremony, in recognition of his world record and EBF title at Cruiserweight.[9]
Ward suffered a hand injury on top of the work accident affecting one leg, and became a boxing coach to youngsters.[10]
He lost the distinction of world's oldest professional in 2015, when an older fighter, American Mike Palmer, competed in a professional bout, but regained it later that year when he fought professionally at 59,[2] and was described as the oldest active boxer, after losing a fight in the third round against younger Jody Meikle at Chesterfield, attended by a Guinness World Records adjudicator on 12 December.[2]
He retired in 2017 after losing the WBC veteran heavyweight championship title to Andreas Sidon.[11][12]
In 2019, The Champ of Champs, a documentary film was produced featuring Ward's long involvement in boxing and fight-back against serious injury.[13][14][15]
In late 2020, Ward confirmed plans to fight again in 2021 against Jimmy Lloyd, in an attempt to gain a new world record, in a new sector called Gold Division, and claim a fourth Guinness World Record as the world's oldest boxer.[16] In January 2021, the fight, a veteran’s version of the world championship, was announced for May, before Ward's 65th birthday.[15]
United Kingdom