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Game Of Thrones' The Mountain To Fight Belfast Boxer Steven Ward In Dubai Exhibition

Game Of Thrones' The Mountain To Fight Belfast Boxer Steven Ward In Dubai Exhibition

The former-World's Strongest Man champion is gearing up for his fight against Eddie 'The Beast' Hall later this year

Tom Wood

Tom Wood

Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, more commonly known to you and me as 'The Mountain' from Game of Thrones, is set to take on boxer Steven Ward in an exhibition bout in Dubai on January 15.

Ward, a cruiserweight from Belfast, was originally down to fight the former World's Strongest Man champion in Iceland, but their three-round match has now been moved to the Middle East because of Covid-19 restrictions.

The Mountain is using this fight to get a few rounds under his belt before his huge - in both spectacle and stature - set to with Eddie 'The Beast' Hall later on in 2021.

However, despite giving away quite a large amount in size, like most people on this planet, Ward is no slouch in the ring, and - of course - is a professional boxer.

30-year-old former WBO Intercontinental Champion Ward has a professional record of 13 wins, just one loss, and no draws. So, Björnsson will have his work cut out against a younger and more technical fighter, even though - obviously - he's an absolute unit.

Steven Ward.
PA

So, will skill and training triumph over size? Will David defeat Goliath? We'll have to wait and see.

Speaking about the fight previously with Belfast Live, Ward said: "It all sort of came out of the blue, and it is something different.

"It is a bit left-field but when the opportunity was put to me I said yes. Boxing in the current climate is difficult, and getting fights is tough.

"My last fight [a points victory over Jone Volau] was in September, and it could be February or March before I fight professionally again, and I have a young family."

What's more, Ward won't be heading into this fight star struck. He admits that he's never seen the TV show that made The Mountain famous.

Coresports

He explained: "I've never watched Game of Thrones, so I wasn't even aware of Björnsson's role in the show. He's massive!

"But I have met him before. I saw him in Belfast and saw him working on the bags. He is athletic and can move for a big man. He definitely surprised me.

"It will be something totally different and will keep me ticking over.

"I am hoping to get another fight in February or March so this will keep me active and training."

He later told British Boxing News: "I'm looking forward to doing something new. I've never been in the ring with someone this size, so it will be interesting to see how it pans out."

PA

"Initially it was just going to be some sparring and I was going to help him out with that technical aspect, but it's escalated from there and the next thing we know I'm doing an exhibition with the former World's Strongest Man!

"I didn't expect him to move as well as he did, but he told me he was a professional basketball player at one point, so that explains why he's got some good agility.

"Training for this has been different. It's three three-minute rounds so it hasn't been the way it normally would be for a camp, but I've been able to eat a bit more and enjoy training a bit more, so I'm looking forward to it."

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: SPORT, UK News, TV and Film, US Entertainment, Game of Thrones