Vonda Ward will bid for IBA heavyweight title in Canton

By BOB ROTH
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
YOUNGSTOWN -- Vonda Ward and Monica McGowan will fight for the vacant IBA World Woman's Heavyweight Championship on the July 16 boxing card at the Canton Civic Auditorium.
This bout, originally scheduled for June 25 in Houston, was canceled, and promoter Larry McCartney added the bout to the Canton card.
"Ohio is where the fight belongs because Vonda Ward is an Ohio girl," McCartney said.
The 6-foot-5 Ward said, "In the long run this is a blessing because I am glad the fight is in my backyard."
Ward, a native of Northfield, was an all-state and Parade All-American basketball performer at Trinity High School in Garfield Heights, a suburb of Cleveland.
Played for Tennessee
She was recruited by coach Pat Summit at the University of Tennessee, where she played from 1991 through 1995. She was a power forward on the Volunteer team that lost to the University of Connecticut by three points in an NCAA semifinal.
As a boxer, Ward turned pro in 1999 and is undefeated in 13 bouts, stopping all 13 opponents.
At a muscular 6-5, 190, she weight-trains at a Bedford Heights gym, where she benches 240 pounds. Her boxing training is in Akron at the Rubber City Boxing Club.
About McGowan, who will come in at 5-9, 200 pounds, Ward said, "She is a quality opponent and this will be a tough fight, but I am looking forward to it and to prove that I am the best."
Versatile
Because of her elongated sinewy build, Ward believes she has a ring advantage in that if she wants, she can fight in three different weight classes -- light heavyweight, cruiserweight and heavyweight.
"Nobody works harder than me, and it would be great if somehow I could win titles at all three weights," Ward said.
After graduating from Tennessee, Ward played a year of pro basketball in Germany and another season with Denver of the American Basketball League.
She still works at her game and believes she could play in the WNBA. Right now, her biggest pro sport interest is beating McGowan on July 16.