Martin Ward

After missing out on a place in the Olympic Games, Martin Ward is determined to make his mark in the pro ranks

Ex-amateur star Martin Ward, whose outstanding unpaid career saw him shine on the local boxing scene and earn a rating as a bright Olympic medal hope, makes his pro debut on the Matchroom promotion at Alexandra Palace on Saturday night.

Talented Ward was overlooked by the selectors in the summer and switched to the paid ranks, training at the Hainault gym of manager Tony Sims with two dates booked for September.

Following his debut on Saturday, where he appears alongside another former amateur star Iain Weaver, Ward is set for a second contest on the Matchroom bill in Belfast on September 22.

The feature fight on Saturday sees another Hainault-based fighter, Lee Purdy, facing Argentine Latino champion Gumersindo Carrasco for the IBF International welterweight title.

That explosive duel goes on alongide Liverpudlian Tony Bellew’s clash against the hard hitting Edison Miranda following the withdrawal of unlucky Darren Barker who has been forced to pull out of the show with an arm injury.

Also booked for the big Matchroom bill, unbeaten middleweight John Ryder will be looking for his 12th straight pro success.

Light-middleweight Erick Ochieng defends his English title against Southern Area champ Ryan Toms, while unbeaten Chris Evangelou tackles Danny Connor for the vacant Southern Area light welterweight title.