Paramount Pictures has reportedly fast tracked The Fighter which is a biopic of fighter Irish Micky Ward. Mark Walhberg and Matt Damon will be co-starring in this movie based on the life of Micky Ward and his half brother and trainer Dicky Eklund.
Any real fan of boxing will remember the Ward vs Gatti fights. These two fighters brought the real thrill of boxing back in these epic battles. Some of the best brawling in a boxing match that I’ve ever watched live or on tv. Being from the Lowell area myself I can tell you that Micky Ward was really a hero of the people. He was a blue collar worker from the streets that made good.
Dicky Eklund, Wards half brother and trainer, was once in the HBO Documentary film titled “High on Crack Street” which was a movie documenting the once rampant crack problem on the streets of Lowell Massachusetts. He was in the documentary for obvious reasons. His comeback from a life of drugs is a triumph in itself. When you team that with the boxing career of Micky Ward, you can see it is truly the stuff movies are made of.
Micky Ward ran the Boston Marathon in April 2004 as a Fund-Raiser for his favorite charity, the Lowell based Kids In Disability Sports Inc.
“When I get tired (during a training run), I think of the kids who can’t run” he said.” That’s what keeps me going. And seeing the smile on the kids faces, that’s the main thing.” K.I.D.S. and its president and founder, Bruce Lucier, are trying to raise enough money to operate a building geared toward disabled athletes. The building would be the first of its kind in the country.
Those interested in donating on behalf of Ward can make out checks to:
K.I.D.S. Inc. c/o Micky Ward and send them to:
P.O. Box 8487, Lowell Ma. 01853
www.kidsindisabilitysports.com
I for one am a huge 
micky ward fan, I cannot wait for this film to be released. There is no release date as of yet and shooting has not even begun. I will definitely keep you updated as the information is available. here’s some more stuff about Micky Ward.
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Can’t wait to see it!
When we can see it?
There is no release date that I could find published anywhere as of yet but I am definitely going to be writing some follow up pieces on this movies as more information is available. As soon as I know, you will know.
I say we get Erin to call up her buddy Micky and do an interview with him.
What questions would everyone want to ask Micky Ward?
THIS MOVIE MUST BE MADE…I WILL PERSONALLY KEEP ON THIS AND FIND THE EXACT PRODUCTION DATE…HOW CAN THIS FILM MISS??? AN OSCAR WINNER FOR SURE
VARIETY AND ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY BOTH REPORT THAT THIS FILM IS IN THE WORKS…AWAITING THE SIGN ON OF THE DIRECTOR
Does anyone have a recent interview of Micky to get his thought on the movie?
I hope in this movie they can put together all 3 fights with Gatti in the movie
I am the biggest Micky Ward fan! I can not wait to see this film! A true working class hero!!!
I used to see Micky at Captain Jons in Lowell when I lived on Dane street. He was always coming in after our Lowell Nor Easters Football Games. What a great guy always livend up the place ya know! They better put that Bar in the movie or it won;t be based on truth.. Hallsy
yea Captain’s was always a cool place to hand at when I lived in Lowell. We seem to be hanging out more lately at Hookslide Kellys. Saw Micky there 2 weeks ago actually.
Mikey Ward is pure white trash, we do not need a movie about this loser. Isn’t captain Jon’s the same place where his newphew had killed someone?
I can’t wait to see the film. I’ve heard a lot about Mickey’s greatness in pool halls around Lowell and across Southern New Hampshire. Hopefully, this movie will set the stage for more films about great, but relatively unknown (to the general public) boxers from the Boston area, like Jack Sharkey, Sam Langford, George Dixon, Joe Wolcott, and William Mellody. There’s a lot of great boxing history out there, just waiting to be filmed!
I am an old friend of Mickey’s and he is a great guy, as for the gentlemen that writes negative stuff about Mickey is an ass, Mickey does more for kid’s and lowell then anyone I know. He’s a Hero, as for his nephew thats not Mikey he hasn’t been found guilty anyway. Mickey if you read this just wanted to say whats up proud of ya keep up the good work. write back from Ricky Gouveia acreboys for life. angelgrl56741@aol.com I hope to hear from ya soon, this is my friends E-Mail its my message E-mail so write back . bud I am liveing in Vermont.
I can’t wait to see this movie.My Dad and Uncle were Micky and Dicky’s[step brother] friends. LOWELL WEST END GYM
Micky deserves all the best life has to offer. He once assisted me in a situation that could have proven dangerous for me, and I’ll always remember and thank him for that. My best to you!
Hey Nick.. Mickey Ward is a BOXER. Probably the most furious and unrelenting boxer I have ever watched. He is fierce and has heart that some of these over paid clowns need to have. As far as his nephews, why don’t you watch the H.B.O. Documentary to get an idea of what life is really like for those of us that are less fortunate for poor Irish communities “Ya BUM”. That’s life my friend, some of us have to do things that we don’t like to do to survive. I can’t wait to see the movie!
Lowell was always a “hard luck city” but As a long time resident I will tell you it has more heart than any other place on earth. As someone who lived on Broadway street in the Acre and knew a lot of these guys and the West End Gym, I just want to say it’s great to glorify fighting and Mickey for what he had to do, but the truth is you don’t have the options in life and you do what you have to do. That’s the real story. Here’s a guy who battled anyway he could and came out on top despite all the odds and is a human being who only wants to do something nice for people. A lot of people in lowell didn’t make it and a lot of things went on that shouldn’t have(like when the cops smashed him up outside the Cosmo that night). Hope they tell the real story.
Ireland forever!
Looking forward to seeing the movie Mick! Having been one of your sparring partners in 1978 at Leo Lydon’s South End Gym, across the street from Towers News, I have personally felt a few of your now infamous left hooks (thank God you were just learning how to throw ‘em back then). I also remember what Leo and our other trainers taught us about the values of the sport of boxing; Boxing is an art that takes time, discipline and repetition to master, be humble in your wins, always be a gentleman outside of the ring, and when the fight is over and it wasn’t your night, give your opponent the respect they deserve.
I have seen you demonstrate all of these values over the course of your career! That, to me, is the sign of a true world champion boxer! God Bless, “Irish” Micky Ward!
Additionally, I appreciate you contributing to the Graham Robert Frechette Foundation here in Florida. I look forward to seeing you in Orlando next week for the charity golf tournament.
Successfully,
Ronnie Frechette
Plain and simple, the most amazing fighter I have seen in a long time. His fights are lost memories of boxers like Graziano, Basilio, and LaMotta. It has been a long time since a man with this much heart has been in the ring. The respect he gives his opponents and the sport are a tribute to his integrity. The Ward / Gatti trilogy are three of the best fights I have ever seen. Possibly the most underated and underpaid fighter of all time!
Having been born in Lowell where I lived the first 28 years of my life, I can attest to the greatness of the city often overlooked. It’s the people and spirit that never fails. Like Micky, Lowell has been punched and dizzied many times but has always fought back to prove itself worthy of praise. I really hope the city is used in filming this story. It has a rough beauty that cannot be captured in Canada or anywhere else on this planet. By the way, Mickey O’Keefe should be a major part of this story since it was he, more than anyone, who provided Micky support and proper leadership when he needed it.
The gatti fights were incredible, but my favorite fight of his was the one against Emmanuel Augustus, also a warrior from the hard knocks.
Hey Mickey how ya been and how’s your family doing these day’s I havent been to Lowell in 10 years keep up the good work
buddy
[...] show that you put a little thought into your St. Patrick’s Day outfit. If they only had an Irish Micky Ward costume I’d wear that [...]
its MICKY, you all claim to know him so well, but none of you know how to spell his name. pure disrespect.
You know what Chris, your’re right it is Micky not Micky. But either way I don’t think it’s an insult. It’s an Irish nickname anyways so the spelling is not important.
We all know Micky Ward is a great fighter and that’s important.
[...] We’re coming out fighting tougher and more exciting than a Micky Ward fight. « Maybe We Can Lower Gas Prices If They [...]
I grew up in Lowell, its tough, rugged, and a waist land for drugs, alcohol poor run down homes. If you make it their you can survive anywhere. Mickey’s DNA is exactly what made him who he is …I think he’s the best…Long Live the Highlands!
I boxed for the Immaculate Conception CYO in 1948 and was boxing in 1949 the first year of the Silver mittens. I seen most of Mickey’ Ward’s fights, and I am really looking forward to the movie. When are they going to start shooting the movie? The first Ward and Gatti fight was the best fight I have ever see. I hope you are enjoying your retirement Mickey. I think you are one of the best fighters that came out of Lowell and Lowell has produced a lot of great fighters.
Funny how alot of these so-called friends can’t even spell his name right. See you at the Gaelic Club Mick - first rounds on me
Sorry for the miss spelling MICKY…I HATE TO PISS OFF KHRIS
Can’t wait for the movie…
[...] Mark Wahlberg and Darren Aronofsky’s long gestating boxing biopic on underdog champion Irish Micky Ward is finally going to begin shooting in October, the star told MTV [...]
I live in lowell and know the family well, micky is an inspiration to the youngsters around lowell. he’s always been himself the times I met him through the neighborhood and tanning salon. this movie is going to be great!!!!!!can’t wait to see it. go micky
Please contact me!
If anyone knows how to get in touch with Micky Ward!
We fought on the Leonard/Haggler ticket!
Let me know! Thanks
Kelly Koble
tvkoblue@yahoo.com
This movie has been in the works for a few years now. Lets get it started! It is great for the Lowell area. Let’s keep the film industry in the Boston area - East Coast Hollywood!!
Micky Ward is always at the Big Kahuna Bar in Chelmsford. He/They do a lot of charity events at the bar.
Look Nic, you may think you are the sh*$, how ever I grew up idolizing Mickey Ward and have made a life time of following Mickey and even using some of his training techniques to train my wife who won three world championships this last year (2007) and still use some of them to train my own fighters who have won local and state (NC) championship titles and I am at this time training my neices who are looking at soccer scholarships at a local state college. So you can suck a Di#$ and I will be there to back it up and if you want to call me out I will meet you any time at Molly Kay’s or any where you feel you can feel like you can defebd yourself. The Irish Mob will be there to help our brother verbally and physically. See Ya James
hey Kelly… I’ll try and ask my aunt what would be the best way to contact Micky… she is a good friend of his as well as his hair dresser… or if you hang around Lowell long enough in the sport bars or other local hot spots you may just see him face to face. but he seems to be in her shop at least once a month.