Ball and Doheny ready for war
After a sensational 2024 which saw him win the WBA featherweight title and prove himself amongst the world’s very best, Liverpool’s Nick Ball has entered this year intent on seeking out the biggest fights possible.
The most high profile and lucrative fight possible is almost within the 28 year-old’s reach.
If he can get past former IBF super bantamweight champion, TJ Doheny, this weekend, Ball, 20-0-1 (12 KOs), can keep himself right in the mix for a massive showdown with Japanese superstar and undisputed super bantamweight champion, Naoya Inoue. For all the latest fight odds, visit our sportsbook.
Last year, Doheny, 26-5 (20 KOs), made it to the seventh round of his own fight with Inoue before withdrawing, citing a back injury.
“I’ll just do what I do best”
If Ball can better Inoue’s performance and take Doheny out in more clinical fashion, the talk about a showdown between the two will gather momentum.
Ball is intent on putting on an impressive display but isn’t paying the slightest bit of mind to Inoue. He has a world title to defend and wants to please what is expected to be a large home crowd.
“I’m always looking to do a better job. I’m always looking to put a statement performance on, especially in Liverpool,” Ball said at Thursday’s press conference.
“Everyone who’s come out, bought tickets to come and support to come and support all the fighters. They deserve for me to put a show for them, so 100%.”
“I’ll just do what I do best. Just get in there and be the best version of me and that’ll be enough.”
At the fight’s launch press conference in December, former IBF super bantamweight champion, Doheny, took great offence at Ball’s suggestion that whilst he may have damaged his back during his fight with With Inoue, he had in fact quit.
“I’m chilled and ready to go”
The 38-year-old Irishman is an experienced, wily fighter and cut a much more relaxed figure with the fight close at hand.
“I put all that s—t behind me. It was raw at the time,” he said.
“It doesn’t matter the kind of money you get paid, it doesn’t matter anything like that when you’re coming off an injury loss when you’ve the chance to become an undisputed world champion. That’s raw and when somebody tries to say you pulled up because you didn’t want anymore, it’s a different story. I’ll put it behind me now. I’m relaxed, I’m chilled and I’m ready to get going on Saturday night.
“I’m very, very confident in my boxing ability. I’ve got a massive bag of tools and I think I’ve got everything to neutralise ‘The Wrecking Ball.’”
Ball too has put December’s bad-tempered meeting behind him. He returned to type on Thursday and was calm, quiet and composed. For the businesslike Scouser, all that matters is what happens when the first bell rings.
“Nothing really, “ he said. “They always talk a big game at these press conferences and interviews but I don’t care what he’s done, who he’s been in with, what he done in his last fight to be honest. It’s all irrelevant. It’s in the past. He’s fighting me on Saturday night so I’m just focused on that.”
To see all our latest boxing markets, check out 32Red Sport here. If you’re up for a flutter on table games or the slots, be sure to check out our award-winning casino too!
