::DEEP SOUTH BOXING::

Ward's New Focus Is On Boxing Ring, Pro Debut

By Gail Janotta
Deep South Boxing

After graduating from Sulphur Rock (AR) High School in 2003, April Ward has focused on a husband and two small children.

Now at 24, Ward's focus is a boxing ring. Se makes her pro debut on June 13 at the National Guard Armory in Batesville, AR. Ward meets Muldrow, OK's Chelsy Chapman (0-1) in a four-round middleweight fight on Brandon Foster's Bad Boy Promotions card.

Ward has no amateur experience to her credit and a short time to prepare for her debut. Despite the obstacles, Ward said she feels ready for the task at hand.

April Ward

"I really never cared much for boxing until my friend, Kristen, got me into it. She was down at the gym working out and wanted me to come with her. I thought I would try it and I liked it," Ward said. "I caught on fast and really enjoy it."

Foster said Ward has come along nicely with her training.

"April has only been boxing for three months and has had no amateur fights but she is being trained by a two-time Arkansas Golden Gloves champion in John Ramsey," said Foster.

The road to get to her first pro fight has not been easy for Ward.

"April was probably one of the best basketball players to come out of Sulphur Rock at 5-foot-11 and very slim, but having two kids she had to get into the gym and lose the weight," said Foster.

"I am at my ideal weight now of 155 pounds, but I had to lose 83 pounds so I could compete," said Ward.

Ward said she believed her strength to being successful in the ring is her right hand.

"I have a pretty strong right hand. I am fast for my size. My combos and ability to slip punches are what I feel like I have to work on continuously."

"April is a real steady puncher and has great stamina," Foster said.

Being the new kid new on the block, Ward doesn't have many thoughts about female boxing, in general.

"I'm so new at this that I haven't given it much thought. I never had any interest in it until I got into the gym," Ward said. "I do like Laila Ali (24-0, 21 KOs) simply because she is someone I can look up to and hope to be like some day. I hope I can win some titles of my own."

Ward admits to pre-fight jitters.

"I'm getting nervous, but my trainers say I'm ready, so I trust what they say," Ward said. "They made me confident. I like being well known and in the spotlight, but I don't want to go into it over-confident and cocky because that is what will get you beat."

Ward trains approximately two hours daily at the Batesville Boxing Gym. She and husband Bret Ward have been married for six years. The couple has a four-year old daughter, Kayla, and a son Bret Jr., who is two.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with the first of four men's exhibition bouts starting at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $15 to $50 and can be purchased at Hastings, or by calling 870-613-1649.

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