Latest news with #JoeWard
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
‘Complete shock' as boxing event in Galway cancelled three weeks before fight night
A boxing event that was scheduled to take place in Galway's Pearse Stadium on June 28th has been called off by promoters GBM Sports. The card was set to be headlined by Galway native Kieran Molloy's bid for a European title, but it was announced earlier this week that the event would be moved, with details of the fights left unclear. The event has now been moved to Hull, England, and Irish fighters Molloy and Joe Ward have been dropped off the schedule. In a statement released on his Instagram, Molloy said the decision came as a 'complete shock' to him. READ MORE Molloy also stated that he had ended his contract with GBM Sports after the cancellation of the homecoming fight, which he had described as 'dream come true'. 'Following this decision, I have now parted ways with GBM Sports and will be putting my full focus into rebuilding for the future.' A media event had been held for the fights last week, where fighters finally received their tickets from the promoters. Pearse Stadium holds well in excess of 20,000 people, whereas the new venue, the Connexin Live in Hull, only holds about 4,000. Molloy stated that he had already sold a large portion of the 2,500 tickets the promoters had allocated to him to sell for the Galway fight night. Westmeath's Joe Ward was slated to fight former British, Commonwealth and European super middleweight champion Lerrone Richards on the undercard. After an excellent amateur career that included three world championship medals, the cancellation of this card is the latest setback in the professional game for Ward. After turning over in 2019, Ward fell victim to a freak injury in his debut fight, which remains the only loss on his record. Belfast's Sean McComb remains on the card, but still has no opponent confirmed as he climbs into the ring for the first time in over a year. McComb's last outing was a controversial loss over 10 rounds to then unbeaten Arnold Barboza Jr, where most observers felt 'Sugar' had got the better of the American. The event is now headlined by British fighters Bradley Rea and Shakan Pitters in a European title fight.
The Sun
13-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Crystal Palace announce they are releasing Premier League record holder after 13 years in emotional statement
CRYSTAL PALACE's Joe Ward is leaving the club after 13 years. The 35-year-old defender has played over 360 times for the Eagles since joining from Portsmouth in 2012. 2 Ward helped Palace gain promotion in his first season at Selhurst Park. The versatile defender has been a member of the squad in the Premier League ever since. Ward was named club captain in 2023/24 and has racked up a record number of Prem appearances for the club. He has repaid the club with 13 seasons of service after signing for just £400,000. Palace chairman Steve Parish said: 'From the very day he joined Crystal Palace, Joel has been an incredible ambassador for this Football Club. "[He is] open, friendly and professional, but also competitive, driven and uncompromising in the standards he sets. "Simply put, over the course of 13 years' service, Joel has been an example for all Palace players who have gone before him - in his values, in his presence, and in his dedication to representing this club with pride. 'This is a great time to celebrate Joel's achievements and reflect on many great memories here with a truly treasured player and friend. "Good luck, Joel, with your next adventure – and thank you." Ward penned a one-year extension with Palace last year. Diehard Crystal Palace fan with arm in sling goes viral after using his HEAD to clap FA Cup heroes at Wembley But he's struggled with a calf injury for much of the campaign. He told the club's website: "For me, it's been a huge privilege to wear this shirt, to represent this club. "It's been an incredible journey with so many fond memories, so many incredible moments – moments that will live on in my mind for the rest of my life. "Obviously, I came from somewhere else. But I've been a part of this club and a part of the furniture for so long that I'd like to think I'm part of the family. "This isn't 'goodbye' - it's merely see you later."
