15 Facts About Micky Ward

Micky Ward challenged once for the IBF light welterweight title in 1997, and held the WBU light welterweight title in 2000.

Micky Ward was portrayed by Mark Wahlberg in the 2010 film The Fighter, which was based on his early career.

Micky Ward's maternal great-grandmother Annie Greenhalge was born in Ireland, the daughter of Michael and Mary Carroll.

Micky Ward was a three-time New England Golden Gloves champion boxer who turned pro in 1985, winning his first fourteen fights.

Micky Ward was successful in his return, winning his first nine fights, and won the WBU's Light Welterweight Title in a fight against Shea Neary in 2000.

Micky Ward's left hook to the body later resulted in a first-round knockout of Steve Quinonez, and a nine-count knockdown of Arturo Gatti in their first fight.

Micky Ward earned a 1997 IBF Light Welterweight Championship fight against champion Vince Phillips, but did not win the championship, as the fight was stopped in the third round due to cuts, and Phillips was awarded the bout via TKO.

In 2000, Micky Ward traveled to London to take on the WBU Light Welterweight Champion, Shea Neary, and earned a TKO in the eighth round to win the WBU title.

Micky Ward never defended the title, and split his next four fights.

On May 18,2002, Micky Ward faced the opponent with whom he became most identified, Arturo Gatti.

Micky Ward was the first fighter to achieve this since Rocky Marciano and Carmen Basilio each did so in the 1950s.

Micky Ward made approximately $3 million in earnings for his trilogy with Gatti; the most lucrative fights of his career.

Micky Ward is married to Charlene Fleming, his longtime girlfriend, who is a former athlete.

Micky Ward manages the boxing gym he owns with his half-brother and former trainer, Dicky Eklund, who trains new boxers entering its academy.

The abuse began when Micky Ward was nine years old and continued for approximately three years, until he gained the confidence to confront his attacker.