GAME OF THRONES star Hafthor ‘Thor’ Bjornsson battled in a lively boxing debut against Irishman Steven Ward.
Thor weighed a whopping 10stone heavier than his opponent, and got three solid rounds in the bank ahead of his massive heavyweight showdown vs rival Eddie Hall this September.
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‘K.O EDDIE HALL’
Thor has vowed to knock out Eddie Hall after making his boxing debut in the exhibition draw vs Steven Ward.
The heavyweight pair do battle in Las Vegas later this year in September.
He said: “I have huge respect for this sport, this is just the beginning.
“I will be in the best shape of my life in September this year and I will knock Eddie Hall out.
HITS LIKE A HORSE
Steven Ward said after the fight: “What a night. The exhibition is over and big Thor hits like a horse.
“But it was great. It was quite exciting, it was a great set-up and it was class having a crowd finally back watching boxing. I never expected Thor to be that fit.”
THOR SPEAKS
Thor has spoken on Instagram after his first boxing fight.
The Mountain will fight again soon as his preparations for his HUGE boxing fight vs Eddie Hall continue.
He posted after the fight: “This was great! Thank you all for the positive feedback! I’ll be doing more exhibition matches in my preparation for my main fight in September. Who should I fight next?
THOR VS WARD
The lively draw was fought at a good pace throughout, even right down to the final few minutes.
Tons of positives for Thor to take home with him ahead of the massive Eddie Hall fight this year.
THOR VS WARD
Thor was full of praise for crusierweight Ward after the draw: “Steven is unbelievable. I doubt many people would want to step into a ring with someone my size.
“Stevie has a big heart. To come here and do this exhibition with me means a lot. I needed that experience.
“Steven is the same height as my opponent in September, and this was great.”
FULL FIGHT REPLAY
Catch the full replay of the fight right here on Thor’s very own YouTube page.
A lively draw capped a solid boxing debut for the big man as he continues his training for Eddie Hall.
THOR VS WARD
Thor’s team will be chuffed with that performance in his first ever boxing bout.
The first step in some great preparations for the HUGE Eddie Hall fight later this year.
THOR VS WARD
Steven Ward says he was “shook to his boots” after receiving a punch from Thor during their entertaining three-round draw in Dubai.
Ward said: “I’ve never seen a big man like that move so well.
“He hit me one shot and it shook me to the boots.”
THOR VS WARD
Ward finished the stronger in the final round after being dropped in the second
THOR VS WARD
The whopping size difference between the fighters
THOR VS WARD
The big man ended the fight with blood trickling down from his nose after a string of Ward jabs.
THOR VS WARD
Thor says he’ll have more fights before the big Eddie Hall clash in September as his boxing training continues.
THOR VS WARD FIGHT REPORT
From Wally Downes Jr
Brave Steven Ward survived his crazy fight with man-mountain Hafthor Bjornsson.
The 6ft 9in Iceland strongman and Game of Thrones star needed a warm-up bout before fighting fellow giant Eddie Hall in the heaviest fight in boxing history in September and picked the Irish cruiserweight.
Bjornsson weighed a giant 24st for the three-round Dubai exhibition and towered over 13-1 full-time boxer Ward who was 15st.
Southpaw Bjornsson, who shed a massive 8st of bulk for the Middle East showdown, held the centre of the ring and let Belfast boxer Ward dance around him in front of a full-house at the Conrad hotel.
THOR VS WARD
Thor said: “I have huge respect for this sport. This is just the beginning.
“I will be in the best shape of my life in September this year…and I will knock Eddie Hall OUT.”
THOR VS WARD
Ward said after the draw: “What a night. The exhibition is over and big Thor hits like a horse.
“But it was great. It was quite exciting. It was a great set-up and it was class having a crowd finally back watching boxing.
“I never expected Thor to be that fit.”
THOR VS WARD – FIGHT ENDS IN DRAW
No winners but no losers in Dubai.
Three solid rounds in the bank there for Thor ahead of the big one this year…
THOR VS WARD – ROUND THREE
Ward connects with a great bodyshot after countering a right.
He catches Thor with a THIRD big right of the round.
Ward finishing the stronger…and the fight is OVER!
Not a bad showing in any way there for Thor on his boxing debut. His team will be pleased with that ahead of the huge bout this September vs Eddie Hall…
THOR VS WARD – ROUND THREE
Blood now trickling down from Thor’s nose after Ward catching with another job.
Both fighters still moving at good pace.
THOR VS WARD – ROUND 2
Thor moving well again in the second stanza.
He clips Ward with a right which skims the shoulder blade and Ward is down!
Ward replies with a cracking straight right but Thor takes it.
Heating up very nicely ahead of the third and final round!
THOR VS WARD – ROUND 1
The size difference between 15st cruiserweight Ward and 24st Thor looks absolutely massive!
Thor showing some of his boxing training with a high guard and he looks more agile than expected too.
Ward stepping back with the big man making a strong start in Dubai!
THOR VS WARD
Ring walks over!
3x3min rounds up NOW!
THOR VS WARD
And now comes the big man!
6ft 9 and weighing 24stone!
The Pride Of Iceland is here…
THOR VS WARD
And the fighters make their entrance in Dubai!
Ward up first……
THOR VS WARD
“I have one goal. And that’s the knockout a guy in September. I’m training for that.”
Watch out Eddie Hall!
Thor talking in his pre-fight interview.
THOR VS WARD
“Always take the chance to put yourself in the spotlight. Opportunities like this are scarce.”
Frampton full of praise of countryman Ward with the fight just minutes away.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
