Ward, McGirt at Mohegan Sun!

By Shane Hennigan

Former WBU junior welterweight champ "Irish" Micky Ward will return to the Mohegan Sun Arena, the site of the first of his three epic bouts with Arturo Gatti, this Friday night. Also to be in attendance, will be trainer James "Buddy" McGirt, the man who trained Gatti for all three bouts against Ward. Though McGirt and Ward have both been back to Mohegan Sun on at least one occasion, it will represent the first time the two will be at the venue together since that now legendary night of May 18, 2002.

"It's going to be good to see Buddy again," stated Ward. "I just saw him this past Saturday in New York, but it will be a little different seeing him back at Mohegan Sun again. Hey, at least I don't have to look at him from across the ring again!" Ward, now retired and training both amateur and professional fighters, will be working the corner of his nephew, junior welterweight, Sean Eklund. "This will be Sean's fourth pro fight, and his debut at Mohegan Sun. Hopefully, his fight won't be as tough as my first one there," joked Ward. McGirt will be working the corner of his young fighter, Dat Nguyen. The two will be fighting in separate bouts on the under card of a Cappiello Promotions card, some of which will air live on the Telefutura network beginning at 8 PM / ET.