Micky Ward

Grew Up… with his half-brother Dicky. The two of them were like peas in a pod. They grew up in a working-class Massachusetts home with a loving (but often smothering) mother, Alice, who might not have taught them the best manners, but definitely taught them how to live on the hard streets.

Living… in Lowell, Mass. Micky spends most of his time in the boxing gym, where Dicky is supposed to be training him, at least whenever Dicky’s not getting high in some drug den.

Profession… welterweight boxer. Micky has so far been doomed to be a “stepping stone,” a fighter who’s served up as a sacrificial lamb for other more promising fighters who are on the way up. No one expects Micky to actually make it to the top, except for the close tight-knit family who support him. He’s a tough guy who can take a punch, sure, but he’s considered more a brawler than a true contender. Micky’s boxing career is further complicated by the fact that his overbearing mother is his manager and his trainer (Dicky) is often absent due to drug addiction. That’s not exactly the standard blueprint for success.

Interests… making friends with the neighborhood. This is his ‘hood, and the regulars on the street know him like a family member. He’s a man of the people and that’s what he’s most interested in, after boxing of course.

Relationship Status… seeing Charlene Fleming, an attractive bartender who is as spunky as she is faithful. She starts believing in Micky as much as his family, but thankfully without his family’s usual combination of drama and craziness. Charlene is exactly what Micky needs to raise his game.

Challenge… becoming a welterweight champion. He’s got a long way to go to make it to the top. There are always going to be fighters who are more talented than him, who have access to better training and promotion. Micky has to will himself to victory if he hopes to make it happen. It would help if his family, especially his mom and brother, could be more a help than a hindrance. If they can’t, Micky will need to find the strength to pull away from them before they pull him down too.

Personality… hopeful, street-wise, and loyal. Micky believes he still has a future ahead of him, while his brother Dicky seems to be sinking himself into a drug-fueled stupor. Micky cares about his family more than anything else, and seeing his brother fall victim to crack is the worst torture—worse even than losing a fight, getting his face beat in and his blood drained out. Micky’s got a big heart, and he puts it in the right place. He’s the kind of guy you root for, both in and out of the ring.