Nick Ball: This is what I’ve been working for my whole life
Friday night’s explosive heavyweight showdown between Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou looks certain to provide ‘Knockout Chaos’ but you don’t have to look too far down the undercard for another sure fire banger.
Nick Ball cut his teeth in venues like the Fusion nightclub and Greenbank Sports Academy but the unbeaten featherweight is growing increasingly used to grander stages.
“There’s no turning back now”
He announced himself as a genuine threat by stopping Isaac Lowe at Wembley Stadium on the undercard of Tyson Fury’s heavyweight title defence against Dillian Whyte two years ago and has become a staple on TNT Sports.
Now, ‘The Wrecking Ball’ travels to Saudi Arabia and gets the chance to achieve his lifelong dream with the world watching on. Ball will fight the WBC featherweight champion Rey Vargas on Friday and can’t wait to get in the ring. For all the latest fight odds, visit our sportsbook.
“It’s here. There’s no turning back now. This is what I’ve been working for my whole life,” Ball said at the red carpet arrival event. “My team have been working for this. I’ve got my opportunity on one of the biggest stages possible. This is where it’s all happening. It’s massive. I’m not gonna let it slip now.”
Until recently, Vargas held one of the longest undefeated streaks in professional boxing. Last November, his unbeaten 36 fight run came to an end when he stepped up to super featherweight and lost a decision to WBC world champion, O’Shaquie Foster. He remains flawless at featherweight but Ball is extremely confident that he will also bring that run to an end on Friday night.
“I’ve prepared more than ever”
“Whatever he wants to do, we can do,” Ball said. “That will come out on fight night. I’ve prepared more than ever and I’m ready more than ever. Whatever he wants to do, I’m up for.
“I didn’t watch the fight [with Foster] but he’s a come forward fighter who puts the pressure on. It worked for him. No disrespect to him though but I’m a different type of fighter all round and I’m looking forward to showing it.”
As usual, the small but powerful Ball will be giving away height and reach to the rangy Vargas but he has spent his entire boxing life figuring out ways to get close to taller opponents. This is just another day at the office for the 27 year old Liverpudlian who is confident that he will beat Vargas whether the fight ends up being a head to head battle or a boxing match.
“I’m used to that,” Ball said. “I’ve been fighting bigger people for my whole career. In terms of boxing, whether he wants to box or fight I’m ready for anything so it doesn’t really matter to me.
“It’s gonna be a dominant performance by Nick Ball. Brutal.”
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