Daniel Ward aims to capture his second amateur title at Almighty Fighting Championship 28.
Ward meets Kanye Holmes for the Almighty FC amateur featherweight title on November 26th in Barnsley. Just one excellent fight out of a handful put-together by Ray Thompson and his team.
We had the opportunity of speaking with Daniel Ward ahead of fight night. Check out the full interview below.
Interview With Daniel Ward
We are just several weeks out from you making the walk at Almighty FC 28. How has camp been for you this time around as you prepare to capture your second amateur title?
This camp is going great. I can’t complain at all. Weight is on point, and strength and conditioning are through the roof. I couldn’t be happier with how this camp has progressed.
It’s not over yet, so there is still work to do, but I’m ready to rock and roll on 26th November.
Do you make any slight or major adjustments to your preparations when there’s a title on the line, or does it stay the same regardless?
I don’t treat any fight differently. Three rounds or five rounds, whoever the opponent is, I am putting in the work, and no stone is left unturned, so I know when I step into the cage, all the boxes are ticked.
Daniel Ward Talks The Four Nations
I want to touch on your last two bouts at the Four Nations and the experience as a whole. Despite the results not going your way, how beneficial do you think the experience was for your progress moving forward? What have you taken away from it the most?
The main thing I took from my two losses was that I needed to train consistently. I took those fights on two weeks’ notice, and after my fight on Battle Arena for the title, I went into chill mode.
I didn’t have anything lined up officially, but then this fell in my lap, and I didn’t want to pass it up. Technically I was there, but my fitness wasn’t, and that affected my performance tremendously.
Now I am training consistently and keeping on top of my fitness even out of camp, just in case another opportunity pops up.
You mentioned on Instagram that your upcoming fight with Kayne is the biggest of your career thus far. Why do you feel that? Is it the specific opponent, the occasions, the promotion and the title? What is it that makes it the biggest fight?
I feel like it’s the biggest fight of my career as I am going to be the main event on the 26th November show in Barnsley, and I’ll be fighting for the featherweight belt in what I believe is the best amateur regional MMA promotion in the UK. All eyes are on this fight as George Staines has vacated the title and everyone wants to know who is next on the throne.
What bodies in the gym have helped you the most this camp? Who have you put the work in alongside?
I couldn’t pick out individual names who have helped me because everyone I train with at Gracie Barra Derby has contributed in their own way to get me prepared and ready for this fight, and I would like to thank everyone who has helped me.
Belt Collecting
You’ve had the experience of attaining an amateur title before. However, if you are to leave victorious in Barnsley, how will this moment compare to the Battle Arena Belt you won?
The Battle Arena title fight will always be special, as it was the first title I won. I feel like they are all special in their own different way. I guess it also depends on how I win, I was pleased with the dominant performance I put on in Nottingham, but I would like this win to be better than that one; I’m always aiming to win better than I did in my previous fights.
Your opponent Kayne Holmes, what are your thoughts on him as a competitor, and how do you feel your skill sets match up against one another?
Kayne is a solid opponent. I don’t have a bad thing to say about him, andI like that he hasn’t taken easy fights, he’s fought high-level amateurs and was even scheduled to fight George Staines, so I know he’s going to come prepared. I think our skill sets blend well, which will make it an entertaining fight for everyone watching.
The Fight
Sell the fight to us. Why should those in attendance stay seated, and those at home buy the PPV when Daniel Ward and Kayne Holmes clash for gold?
Who doesn’t want to see two hungry, game-talented amateurs go toe to toe for the most prestigious amateur belt in the UK? I know I’m going not going to put my foot on the brakes at all, I’m coming forward, and I’m coming with bad intentions. I want to show who is the new king, and I’m going to show it in spectacular fashion.
You’re a fairly experienced amateur at this stage of your career. A win on 26th November, another belt added to the growing collection. What’s next for Daniel Ward? Can we expect a leap to the pro ranks soon?
I can’t say what’s next. I’d have to speak to my coach and see what he thinks. Personally, I’d like to become #1 at featherweight in the UK amateurs before turning pro. When I win this belt on 26th November, non of the top 10 can turn me down, I’ve got what they want, so they’ll have to come and try to take it.
