Veteran boxer Steve Ward preparing to fight for world title - at sea

The 64-year-old Mansfield boxer is planning to make history as he takes on Jimmy Lloyd for the inaugural Gold Division title.

As well as the chance of winning a world title and claiming a fourth Guinness World Record as the world's oldest boxer, the veteran tough guy will also be among the first group of people to fight offshore.

Next year's bout - promoted by the Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts Fighters Union - will be held on a cruise ship off the coast of Barbados as part of a week of on-ship entertainment.

As well as Ward's title bout, legends matches will take place with the likes of Riddick Bowe and Butterbean among the names hoped to be involved.

Virtual reality boxing, pitting members of the audience against one another, will be on the undercard.

But as far as Ward's concerned, there's only one fight that matters.

"When the (virtual reality) screen goes up it's lights down and time for the proper fighting," he said.

"Jimmy Lloyd is a six belt champion but that don't mean anything to me, I'm not bothered. Count them all up, I've also good six, so it sounds like a good one.

"It'll make history. It's never been done at sea before and hopefully I can get a fourth Guinness World Record.

"I want to come back with that belt – it's going to be mine."

Already a star in the ring, Ward has become a star of the big screen this year.

Following last October's premiere of The Champ of Champs, the documentary telling his life story - from being a Hyson Green boy to becoming the world's oldest boxer - has won more than 30 international awards.

"Everybody who's seen it says how fantastic it is," said Ward.

"When I was a baby my dad put a sepia photo up in his newsagents on Hyson Green and told people ‘one day he’ll be a world champion’.

"That inspired me. My other inspiration is my wife, Louisa, who’s always there for me, supporting me.

"But they might have to make another documentary, because I'm not finished yet.”