WHEN Martin Ward suffered the only defeat of his professional career two years ago, Jason Booth was on the same bill at Rainton Meadows having a shot at a world title.

Booth's points loss to the Canadian Kid Steve Molitor that night was a blow he has struggled to overcome - and Ward remembers watching the action unfold at first hand.

Tomorrow afternoon Ward will have the opportunity to step into the ring with a boxer he has admired over the years, but is focused on ensuring the contest helps to lift him to a new level.

When Nottingham's experienced Booth returns to the North-East again this weekend, he must try to address a slump of four straight defeats, which has got many thinking his career is on the line.

But Ward, one defeat from 16 contests, thinks Booth should not be under-estimated and remains wary of the significant threat posed by a former British champion who has fought for titles in each of his last 11 contests.

"People say Jason Booth is coming to the end of his career. It puts me in a no-win situation," said Ward, ten years younger than his opponent. "If I beat him then I beat a Jason Booth who was past his best, if he beats me then it will be said I wasn't ready for him. I don't think that's fair.

"Jason Booth is not past his best, he's still a very capable fighter and when I beat him I want all the recognition I deserve."

He added: "Booth is very skilful. He likes to let people come on to him and breaks them down. I am the same sort of fighter. The styles will blend really well.

"It is a pure skills match. It's a privilege to be in with the man. I was on the under card when he fought Steve Molitor, I got knocked out that night, he lost a close points decision. To be sharing the ring with someone like him is a dream come true for me. I will only be happy if I win."

That defeat to Mickey Coveney in September 2010 remains the only occasion Ward has been defeated so far. If he can inflict the 11th loss of Booth's career at the Hartlepool Borough Hall tomorrow, the West Rainton boxer's stock will have risen further.

Ward, 24, is a former England international at amateur junior and senior level.

He thinks claiming the English bantamweight title at the expense of Booth will help more people sit up and take notice of what he is capable of as he plots a route to the top.

"I want to be a British champion. I don't know how long it will take. I am only 24 and I have plenty of years left to achieve what I want and this is the next step to doing that," said Ward.

"It's starting to come alive and people know who Martin Ward is now.

"I have made pretty easy work of my fights so far. I fought Ian Napa a year ago and I schooled him, I took him apart.

"That was my biggest fight and no doubt I will be even better than I was last year."

Ward and Booth's title bout will be the headline act at the Borough Hall tomorrow.

There will also be a northern area light welterweight contest between Darlington's Neil Hepper and Fishburn's Gary Fox on the seven-fight bill.

Hartlepool duo Peter Cope and Callum Winton will also be in action, along with Middlesbrough's Mohammed Waqas, Horden's Greg O'Neil and Gateshead's Robert Ismay.

* Tickets for the Borough Hall show are still available from all boxers, or by calling 0774 7611 020. There will also be some tickets available on the door.