Darlington boxer Argie Ward is preparing for his first fight in his hometown since turning professional with a glowing reference from a World champion ringing in his ears.

With just three pro fights behind him, Ward is a relative newcomer to the pro game, but already WBF super-bantamweight No 1 Michael Hunter has tipped the 26-year-old for the top.

The pair are stablemates at Neil Fannan's Hartlepool Boxing Club and Hunter, who has 15 title defences behind him, rates Ward highly while the boss is also a keen admirer of Ward who goes into his fourth bout, at the Dolphin Centre on July 11, unbeaten so far.

Fannan said: "He is a genuine prospect. Michael Hunter says that Argie is the hardest puncher he's sparred with, and Michael has sparred with some of the best. At super-bantam level, Michael is a giant, but Argie is all muscle. Michael rates Argie very highly and says that once he starts ten and 12 rounds he'll be going places.

"In my gym Argie more than holds his own and I've got some really good boxers there."

For his fourth pro bout Ward has been paired with London-based Rocky Dean who was originally going to challenge Hunter for his WBF belt, but will now face Ward in the Darlington fighter's own backyard and Fannan admits it will provide his boxer with a stern test.

"Rocky Dean is an ambitious boxer and we were going to put him against Michael Hunter but that's not going to happen now so that shows you how good he is," said Fannan.

"Dean has had eight wins, one loss and one draw and the fact we're putting him with Argie tells you how much faith we have in Argie."

As a teenager Ward turned his back on boxing but returned to the ring after a five-year absence and joined the pro ranks last year.

But his decision to turn pro meant he missed out on representing his country although he's confident he would have pulled on an England vest had he remained an amateur.

"I first started boxing when I was eight but I packed in when I was 13," explained Ward. "You know how it is, I was a young lad and I just got sick of boxing I suppose. But I took it back up again when I was about 18 and last year I got to the final of the ABAs.

"I was picked to train with the England squad after that but I didn't fight because I turned pro about a month later. But I was ranked fourth in Britain so I was up with the best of them so there's not much doubt I would've fought for England, I just turned pro too soon.

"I'm not getting any younger so it was about time I turned pro and, to be honest, I think I'm suited to the pro game."

Ward's pro debut was in Blackpool and he marked his arrival on the scene with a devastating knockout after just 40 seconds. He followed this with a points win despite suffering a bad cut, and he then appeared on the undercard at the Ricky Hatton v Joe Calzaghe fight last November at the Newcastle Telewest Arena.

He's since been without a fight but, as Ward explains, his next one is expected to make up for his seven-month absence.

He said: "It's been a while since my last fight because I've had three people pull out of fights and then I pulled a tendon in my arm so I've been inactive.

"The lad I'm fighting at the Dolphin Centre, Rocky Dean, is a real good fighter, so we're expecting a battle, a real tear-up."

Fannan is satisfied Ward is on the right track and says it's not only his talent that makes his a prospect, but also his positive attitude.

"He's had a few setbacks but he's never let it get to him and he really does give 100 per cent," said Fannan.

"In his first fight he demolished the lad, knocked him out in 40 seconds, and in the second one he got a really bad cut which effects the way you fight.

"But after that he was offered the chance to fight on the Hatton v Calzaghe bill which was probably a bit too soon, but he did the fight, won on points, and that shows you the character he has. That's what champions are made of."

Although he's only had three pro fights so far, with both Hunter and Fannon rating Ward highly, he is already setting his sights, saying: "You dream of winning titles.

"Now I've just got to stay dedicated, and as long as I do that, it's up to me how far I go."

* SG Petch are the evening's main sponsors and for tickets contact Argie Ward on 077809 86806 or the Dolphin Centre. They cost £20 or £30 for a table at ringside.