Gatti-Ward III June 7 in Atlantic City: Ward comfortable in underdog role

24.05 - LOWELL, Mass. - "Irish" Micky Ward, winner of The Ring's 2002 and 2001 Fight of the Year, is comfortable in his customary underdog role for what he's said will be his final pro fight, June 7 in "The Final Chapter" against rival Arturo Gatti at the Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall.

Ward 38-12 (27 KOs) has been an underdog in many of his fights, including his first against Gatti (35-6, 28 KOs), in which Micky won a 10-round decision in the unanimous "Fight of the Year." Gatti reversed the decision last November in Ward-Gatti II.

Upset, of course, could very well be Ward's middle name. Just ask unbeaten favorites (when they faced Micky) such as Shea Neary (22-0), Alphonso Sanchez (16-0) and Louis Veader (31-0), as well as prohibitive picks defeated by Ward, Reggie Green (30-3) and, of course, Gatti (34-5).

"I think the public and writers are looking at this (Gatti-Ward III) the same way as our first fight when nobody thought I had a chance at all," Ward noted at his Tewksbury (MA) training camp. "That's okay. But some think I'm just fighting because it's a big payday. They don't know me if they think that way. I would never do that to the public; I wouldn't do that to myself. I'd be lying if I said money doesn't matter, but that's not the issue here. This is my last fight and I want it more than anything. I'm going to go out giving my best because boxing is what I love to do. I have a game plan; I'm not all brawn and no brains. I can't wait for June 7th."

"Micky Ward has always been an underdog," his promoter Lou DiBella remarked. "It has never kept him down before and it won't keep him down June 7."