Forrest Ward
Encyclopedia
Forrest Ward is a retired amateur heavyweight
boxer
.
175-lb Open Championship by defeating Houston Williams of the Police Athletic League Howard Houses in the finals. In 1967 Ward won the New York Golden Gloves Heavyweight Open Championship after beating Thomas Connelly in the finals. Later that year Ward won the Pan American Heavyweight Championship. Ward won the 1967 National AAU Heavyweight Championship, beating Clay Hodges by a split decision in the semifinals and Ken Norton
in the finals.
in 1968 and lost after being dropped three times in the 7th round, triggering a three knockdown stoppage. After four consecutive wins, he faced Bill Drover and lost via a technical knockout. Ward retired after the loss.
Heavyweight
Heavyweight is a division, or weight class, in boxing. Fighters who weigh over 200 pounds are considered heavyweights by the major professional boxing organizations: the International Boxing Federation, the World Boxing Association, the World Boxing Council, and the World Boxing...
boxer
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
.
Amateur career
In 1966 Ward won the New York Golden GlovesNew York Golden Gloves
The New York Golden Gloves is a boxing tournament considered by many boxing aficionados as one of the three most elite Golden Gloves titles, along with the Chicago Golden Gloves....
175-lb Open Championship by defeating Houston Williams of the Police Athletic League Howard Houses in the finals. In 1967 Ward won the New York Golden Gloves Heavyweight Open Championship after beating Thomas Connelly in the finals. Later that year Ward won the Pan American Heavyweight Championship. Ward won the 1967 National AAU Heavyweight Championship, beating Clay Hodges by a split decision in the semifinals and Ken Norton
Ken Norton
Kenneth Howard Norton Sr. is a former heavyweight boxer. He is best known for his 12-round victory over a peak Muhammad Ali where he famously broke Ali's jaw, on March 31, 1973, becoming only the second man to defeat Ali as a professional .He and Ali...
in the finals.
Pro career
Ward had a disappointing and short career as a professional, which began in 1967 after a banner year as an amateur propelled him to professional territory. After six professional fights, he stepped up in class to face Chuck WepnerChuck Wepner
Charles "Chuck" Wepner is a former heavyweight boxer from Bayonne, New Jersey. As a tough but journeyman boxer he went 15 rounds with world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali in a 1975 fight. Wepner is credited as the inspiration for Rocky Balboa. Wepner also appeared in the book Operation Bullpen...
in 1968 and lost after being dropped three times in the 7th round, triggering a three knockdown stoppage. After four consecutive wins, he faced Bill Drover and lost via a technical knockout. Ward retired after the loss.