Chris Singleton|The Courier

It is almost showtime for local professional boxer Rance Pressure Ward.

Ward is scheduled to step in the ring to take on Javier Martinez in a middleweight fight put on by Top Rank Boxing promotions on Saturday in Las Vegas.

The fight is one of eight matches scheduled for Saturday at the MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas. It will be televised on ESPN+ and will start at 6 p.m.

It will be Wards first trip back to fight in Las Vegas since he tested positive for the coronavirus while preparing for the scheduled middleweight fight against Fred Wilson Jr. in June.

Wards trainer, Justin Martinez, also tested positive before the fight in Las Vegas. Ward was forced to back down from the fight due to all boxers being required to pass a coronavirus test in order to compete.

Ward, who has spent recent days training in Las Vegas for Saturdays fight, said he is ready to go this time.

He is very motivated and eager to put on a show for his hometown. He has remained humble and wants to do the talking after the fight.

I feel great, Ward said. Im still out here working. Im very confident. I just got to be humble and bring home the W.

Ward will try to improve on his 4-1-1 record as a pro. He will take on Javier Martinez, who recently turned pro. The fight is set to go four rounds.

When he steps into the ring, Ward said will be more focused than ever before.

Ive been training hard and working hard, Ward said. Im just going to stick to my game plan and just stay focus and keep on pushing.

While training in Las Vegas this week, Ward got the opportunity to visit the Mayweather Boxing Club gym.

Ward said it was a great opportunity to visit the gym, especially since he wants to follow in the footsteps of boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jr.

My turn is going to come one day, Ward said. I just have to be patient with it thats all. I want to learn the business side of this sport.

Wards agent, Thibodaux native Quintarius Queen with CLEVER Sports Entertainment, said it has been inspirational to see how his client has bounced back since testing positive for the coronavirus and missing out on his scheduled fight in June.

Now Queen and the rest of Wards family and friends will get the chance to fight live on national television.

Were all really excited. Everybody has been waiting for this fight to happen. We just feel so good about it, Queen said. Im really confident in Rance, not just because thats my client, but he really looks good. He has gotten better with thework that he has been getting the last couple of weeks. Its been crazy to see his mindset and physical demeanor. Everything about him has changed. The energy is completely different from the last time. This time there is something different about him. He just has to go take care of business.

The main event of Saturdays fight card will feature Jose Ramirez versus Viktor Postol. It is scheduled to be a 12-round fight for the WBC/WBO junior welterweight title.

Excerpt from:

Ready for action: Local pro boxer returns to ring in Las Vegas on Saturday - Houma Courier