Thomas Patrick Ward out scores Edy Valencia Mercado by wide margin

Thomas Patrick Ward says his future is in the featherweight division. This decision may have been made after his controversial technical decision draw with Thomas Essomba in October last year and he does look well suited to the new weight class after seeing him box circles around good Mexican Edy Valencia Mercado on the Lewis Ritson vs Jeremias Ponce card at the Eagles Community Centre in Newcastle, England.

With only 4 stoppages in his 30-0-1 career ledger, Ward will find it hard to win a world title against the current crop of world 126lb champions including Gary Russell Jr and Emanuel Navarrete, but he is capable of becoming European champion and taking part in some big domestic affairs.

Against 30-year-old Mercado, Ward was masterful, completely wrong-footing his opponent throughout the 10 rounds they shared. It was however Mercado who scored the bouts lone knockdown when an off-balance Ward landed on his backside with the help of a cuffing left hook from his Mexican opponent.

A good nights work for the talented North East England boxer and hopefully a step up the ladder to some bigger fights.

Scores: Steve Gray 98-92 | Ron Kearney 97-93 | Victor Loughlin 98-92.