Who Is Dicky Eklund Jr.?
I have followed boxing families for years and few stories grip me like that of Dicky Eklund Jr. Born and raised in Lowell Massachusetts he entered the world already wrapped in the sport. At age three he weighed about fifty pounds and spent his first hours in the gym. By age seven he competed in the Silver Mittens amateur bouts. Standing five feet ten inches tall this man blends raw family grit with a sharp eye for technique. After the 2010 film The Fighter wrapped he listened when Christian Bale and Mark Wahlberg urged him toward bigger horizons. He packed up and headed to Los Angeles where he still calls home while keeping strong ties to Lowell.
The Eklund Ward Family Tree
The Eklund Ward family is like an old oak tree with deep Lowell roots and branches that span decades of punches and comebacks. I always imagine them as a close family with boxing as their heartbeat.
His father, Dicky Eklund, born May 3, 1957, was called Pride of Lowell. He fought professionally from 1975 to 1985, twice winning the USA New England welterweight title and dropping Sugar Ray Leonard in a highlight reel incident. The father and son speak several times a week after Christian Bale played him in The Fighter (2010). Dicky Sr., sober in Lowell, respects everyone from street vendors to celebrities and carries on that spirit.
Sister Kerry and brother Tommy Eklund are siblings. Tommy is more discreet but nonetheless part of the Lowell crew, while Kerry handled family web presence.
This story centers on paternal grandparents. Grandmother Alice S. Eklund Ward, born 1931 or 1932, died April 27, 2011. She helped Dicky Jr.’s career and babysat Freddie Roach. In The Fighter, Melissa Leo played her, and her obituary labeled her the family leader who never gave up. The paternal line ends with grandfather Richard Eklund Sr., but information are scarce.
Dicky Sr.’s half-brother Micky Ward became WBU junior welterweight champion. In 2010, Mark Wahlberg portrayed his three legendary fights with Arturo Gatti, which defined an era. The Lowell family joke—hit like Micky, party like Dicky—remains.
Lowell is full of aunts, uncles, and cousins. Everyone lives close, creating a loud, loyal network. The user notes even cite Dicky Eklund Jr. as grandchild to Alice and Richard Eklund Ward and Dicky Ward children links that lead to the same tight relationship.
Career Path: From Actor to Elite Trainer
Dicky Eklund Jr. never sought pro fight fame. He turned a corner and developed a successful career. First, he helped his father with mitt work after Dicky Sr.’s back problems hindered him. He learned power shots, heart discipline, and old-school work ethic from that hands-on start.
The 2010 film The Fighter opened doors. After it, he played supporting roles and stunts in Black Mass 2015, Patriots Day 2016, Hostiles as Hatchet Face or Buffalo Hunter, Silver Linings Playbook, American Hustle Out of the Furnace, and Bleed for This. The early to mid 2010s credits include at least eight films.
His true ring was training. He met Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Los Angeles and never left. He arrives early, frequently by 7 a.m., and stays late as a full-time co-trainer and pad man. He works ringside in major Las Vegas events and molds pros with the gym’s northeast grit. After meeting on the steps, Roach mentored him and their relationship evolved. Dicky Jr. connects family legend with modern battle game.
He has no public wealth figures. Instead of wealth, he appears to live by gym hours, film gigs, and quiet dedication.
Recent Moments and Social Media Footprint
Momentum keeps building. On December 8 2023 he sat for a detailed interview in Las Vegas and opened up about his upbringing the move west and his training style. By March 4 2025 articles about his father mentioned him still grinding at Wild Card and noted Christian Bale stays in touch with both men. In 2026 he launched his Instagram profile at dickeklundjr. The account now holds over 32000 followers and his bio reads Professional Boxing Trainer Los Angeles CA by way of Lowell MA. His father posts birthday wishes and gym photos tagging him often. The buzz stays focused on boxing circles not tabloid noise.
Milestones That Shaped the Journey
Numbers and dates paint the clearest picture. Here is a timeline table I compiled from key moments.
| Period | Event |
|---|---|
| Late 1980s | Birth as Richard Eklund III in Lowell Massachusetts |
| Early 1990s | First gym visits at age three |
| Mid 1990s | Silver Mittens competition at age seven |
| 2000s | Youth sports in football and baseball plus mitt work with father |
| 2010 | The Fighter filming and grandmother Alice passes on April 27 |
| Early 2010s | Relocates to Los Angeles joins Wild Card full time |
| 2011 to 2016 | Acting credits in at least eight films including Patriots Day and Hostiles |
| December 8 2023 | In depth Las Vegas interview on family and training |
| 2025 | National features highlight his Wild Card role |
| 2026 | Instagram account goes live with over 32000 followers |
Each line marks another step in a life that turned gym shadows into steady spotlight.
FAQ
How did family boxing history shape Dicky Eklund Jr.?
The Eklund Ward legacy wrapped around him from day one. With a father who fought 1975 to 1985 an uncle who battled in three Gatti wars and a grandmother who managed careers he learned discipline early. I picture him as a kid absorbing every lesson like a sponge in a storm.
What films feature Dicky Eklund Jr. as an actor?
He appeared in The Fighter 2010 Black Mass 2015 Patriots Day 2016 as a young officer Hostiles plus Silver Linings Playbook American Hustle Out of the Furnace and Bleed for This. Those roles came mostly in the 2010s and gave him a taste of Hollywood before training took center stage.
Where does Dicky Eklund Jr. train fighters today?
He works daily at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Los Angeles under Freddie Roach. Since the early 2010s he has logged long hours focusing on power body shots and old school heart. The gym keeps that northeast feel even in sunny California.
Who are the key Eklund Ward family members?
Father Dicky Eklund born 1957. Siblings Tommy and Kerry Eklund. Grandmother Alice Eklund Ward 1931 or 1932 to 2011. Grandfather Richard Eklund Sr. Uncle Micky Ward. All roots stay planted in Lowell with dozens of aunts uncles and cousins nearby.
Has Dicky Eklund Jr. ever fought professionally?
No. He skipped the pro ring and chose the corner. His path started with helping his father then grew into full time training after the 2010 move west.
Why did he move to Los Angeles?
After The Fighter wrapped in 2010 Christian Bale and Mark Wahlberg encouraged him. He took the leap walked into Wild Card and built his career there while keeping Lowell close in spirit.
