Joe Ward defeated Artjom Kasparian by unanimous decision after 10 rounds at Zuffa Boxing 10 at the 3Arena in Dublin on Saturday. The Irish fighter survived heavy middle-round pressure to secure victory in his first bout since 2024.
Ward built a decorated amateur career, becoming Ireland's youngest senior European gold medallist at age 17 in 2011. He later competed as an Olympian, but injuries affected his progress and he lost his professional debut after dislocating his knee.
Ward started the fight quickly by using sharp southpaw punches to target Kasparian's body and head. His attacks opened a cut near the right eye of the Manchester-based opponent during the early rounds.
Ward Survives Middle Rounds Pressure
Kasparian pressed forward in the third round and landed consecutive right hooks to test Ward's chin. Ward showed signs of tiredness and leaned into clinches while Kasparian continued to throw heavy punches.
In the fourth round, Kasparian caught Ward with a double jab as Ward stepped inside. Ward became stationary on his feet, allowing Kasparian to land sustained combinations throughout the middle rounds.
Ward responded in the seventh round by landing strong backhands to halt Kasparian's advance. In the eighth round, Ward landed a clean one-two combination that pushed Kasparian into the ropes as the Dublin crowd cheered.
Ward landed an accurate left cross in the ninth round that forced Kasparian back a step. Both fighters traded punches in the tenth round before Ward raised his arms at the final bell.
Early Knockouts for Stevie McKenna and Sam Hickey
Stevie McKenna opened the evening with a first-round stoppage of Owen O'Neill. McKenna's older brother, Aaron McKenna, headlined the card in an IBF world middleweight title fight against Etinosa Oliha, on an event that also featured Callum Walsh against Tyler Denny on Sky Sports.
McKenna attacked O'Neill immediately with heavy strikes and a left hook. He then landed a one-two combination and a right cross that knocked O'Neill to the canvas, forcing an immediate stoppage.
Scottish middleweight Sam Hickey earned his second consecutive victory by stopping Brad Axe in the seventh round. Hickey had previously dropped Axe with a short right hand in the third round before the bell sounded.
In the seventh round, Hickey landed a right hand that spun Axe around and knocked him down. Axe's corner threw in the towel to end the contest.
Greene, Coyle and O'Connor Earn Victories
Louis Greene defeated Romania's Daniel Buciuc on points with a 59-55 score after six rounds. Greene targeted Buciuc's body and landed uppercuts against the ropes, while Buciuc survived a late assault in the final 30 seconds.
Connor Coyle from Derry earned a unanimous decision victory over American opponent Mark Beuke after 10 rounds. The judges scored the fight 98-92, 98-93 and 97-93 in favor of Coyle.
Coyle suffered a cut near his right eye early in the bout and finished with a bleeding nose. However, he connected with cleaner combinations to control the exchanges against Beuke.
American cruiserweight prospect Patrick O'Connor stayed unbeaten after Spain's Juan Manuel Moriel retired on his stool after the first round due to a shoulder injury. O'Connor, who has Irish roots, moved to 4-0 with all four wins coming inside the distance.
