Martin and Tommy Ward enjoy double delight at Colossal boxing show

But 2015 could easily be the year when both Hartlepool-based Ward brothers hold titles simultaneously.

Martin is set for a British super-bantamweight eliminator against Lewis Pettitt with the winner in line for a crack at new champion James Dickens.

But, up a division at feather, younger sibling Tommy is a young man on the move and is surely destined for some form of title shot.

Shortly after Martin registered the 20th win of his career, by beating Kakhaber Avetisian in Houghton, Tommy made it 13 straight wins in the pro game by defeating another Georgian, George Gachechiladze.

It was the fourth time they have shared the same bill but yesterday’s double was undoubtedly the highlight.

The younger Ward is in imperious form and was one of the stars of the Colossal show.

He dismissed the challenge of Gachechiladze with the greatest of ease and no lack of style.

The 28-year-old Eastern European has been to the Rainton Meadows Arena before, giving Martin a stern test before the Neil Fannan and Dave Garside star stopped him in the eighth round.

Gachechiladze was intent on making life awkward for Tommy too but, aside from a cut on the head from a clash of skulls in the second round, there was not a hint of trouble.

At times, for all his aggressive intent, the away fighter could barely get near Ward.

The 20-year-old landed at will with both gloves throughout the first half of the six-rounder.

He drew a big cheer when he made Gachechiladze miss early in the fourth and when the Georgian invited him inside, the former national junior champion accepted and rained in around eight head shots.

Such was Ward’s supremacy three further away shots missed the target completely.

It was a recurring theme in the last two rounds as well as the accuracy and speed of Tommy saw him dazzle on the way to a 60-54 scoreline from referee Graeme Williams.

“I am boxing well,” said the NES Securities-sponsored talent.

“Neil thinks the work we’ve done in the gym is starting to show now.

“Hopefully, I’ll keep on improving and keep putting on shows like that.”

Big brother Martin also won by the same margin against Avetisian, Andrew Wright the man in the middle for that bout.

This reporter gave the come-forward 25-year-old the opening round as he took the fight to the former English and Commonwealth bantamweight champion.

But Martin, boxing for the first time since beating African Isaac Owusu in this ring back in November, soon settled into his rhythm.

He too made his rival miss while getting through with a couple of neat right-left salvos.

That became a pattern of the bout, Ward landing regularly without ever exploding.

When Martin let his shots go in the fifth, out came Avetisian’s gumshield as he looked for a break from the punishment.

It was only a temporary respite as ward ended the session with a volley of punches.

The final session featured a number of smart jabs from Ward and one nice left on the retreat as he eased to pro win number 20.

But bigger nights could be on the way – for both Wards.RING READY: Bradley Saunders