World’s oldest boxer, 64, finally wins world title – and immediately retires
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Boxer Steve Ward, recognised as the World’s oldest professional boxer, has retired from the sport in style, claiming his first world title in his final fight.
Ward, 64, faced Romania’s Adrian Parlogea on August 6 in a cruiserweight bout booked by veteran-boxing promotion World Legends Championship.
The bout took place in the WLC’s gold division, for fighters aged 50-65, and was for their inaugural cruiserweight championship belt.
Despite losing his last fight, which took place against Germany's Andreas Sidon back in 2017, Ward shook off any nerves and immediately took the fight to Parlogea, who was clearly caught off guard by Ward’s aggression.
The Brit dropped his opponent three-times in the opening round and sealed a sensational victory inside the first three minutes of the bout.
Following the bout, Ward celebrated with his wife, daughters, and coaching team, and took a number of photos with the gold WLC belt strapped around his waist.
Ward, who turns 65 on Thursday, admitted after the fight that while he was ecstatic to have finally claimed a world title, he was also sad that he would never box again.
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“I’ve gone out in style. I am the world champion. I’ve done it, I have got there.
"The second step down from the ring it's suddenly hit me: 'Steve that is the last time you will ever be doing this'.
"I was feeling very jubilant winning the belt but for a few moments I had the biggest lump in my throat.
“There’s sadness as well. It’s been a long career.”
Ward, who is now a three-time Guinness World Record holder for being the world’s oldest active professional boxer, explained that he had wanted to win a world title for his late father who predicted he would fight for a title before he tragically passed away.
“I did it for my father.
"I always told my dad I would win a world title and now I have. I’m going to visit his graveyard with my belt to show him what I have achieved.
“It is good to go out on a high. I have achieved what I set out to do and it’s a fantastic achievement.”
After winning about half of his professional fights, as well as 136 of his 148 amateur bouts, Ward now feels the time is right to put his feet up and enjoy retirement.
What a career the man from Nottingham has had!
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- Boxing
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