Mansfield's world oldest boxer Steve Ward set to fight on

Steve Ward will be back in the ring later this year.

Ward has accepted a fight with Jimmy Lloyd next May – when he will be three months shy of 65.

He wrote himself into the record books when he got in the ring with Andreas Sidon in July, 2017.

Ward 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.

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

"I’m in good nick and I’m still hungry, so why not ? I feel like a kid again. My wife (Louisa) backs me 100% and she will be walking me to the ring in her swimsuit – instead of the usual glitzy young girls.

“I’m a lucky lad,” smiled Ward. “When Louisa isn’t working, she will wake up in the morning and say something like: ‘Let’s go zorbing’ or maybe jet skiing or parachuting. It keeps you young.

“If I win, who knows, I might carry on and have one more before I have to retire at 65.

“I feel like I’m still in my twenties. I did 90 miles on my bike the other day. My fitness levels will be unreal when I get in the ring."

Lloyd will be 55 years old when the opening bell rings for a fight that will decide a veteran’s version of the world championship.

He said: “It would be great to think me and Steve could help get people in their fifties and sixties off their sofa and down the gym.

“I’ve got nothing bad to say about Steve. I have a lot of respect for him, but I’m going to do the business on the night.”

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 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 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 soon, because I'm not finished yet.”