Nick Ball’s road to the top – Ball’s best moments so far

Nick Ball has enjoyed the kind of twelve months that should put him firmly in contention for fighter of the year honours.

The Liverpudlian has had to battle his way up from the lowest rung of professional boxing. Now he sits on top of the world and the unbeaten 27-year-old is just days away from making the first defence of his WBA featherweight title against Ronny Rios. For all the latest fight odds, visit our sportsbook.

Let’s look back at some of Ball’s most memorable and important nights.

2018 – SECOND ROUND TKO OF BRIAN PHILLIPS

Ball hasn’t been groomed for stardom from the start of his career. He turned professional to little fanfare and learned his trade in nightclubs and draughty exhibition centres.

Ball had just five fights under his belt when, in 2018, he was matched with his fellow unbeaten prospect – and city rival – Brian Phillips at the Greenbank Leisure Centre.

Ball was unstoppable, forcing Phillips’ corner to throw in the towel in the second round. It was Ball’s first career stoppage and the first sign that he is capable of performing at his best when the pressure is on. Leaving the leisure centre car park that night, there was the definite sense that Ball may just be a fighter worth keeping a very close eye on.

2022 – SIXTH ROUND STOPPAGE OF ISAAC LOWE

The win over Phillips didn’t catapult Ball onto television screens. He spent another four years grinding away and slowly working his way up the ladder before being given the chance that would change his life forever.

In 2022, he was matched with Isaac Lowe on the undercard of Tyson Fury’s heavyweight title fight with Dillian Whyte. After spending the vast majority of his career selling tickets to friends and family to come and watch him fight in those small halls, he suddenly found himself walking out in front of thousands at Wembley Stadium.

Ball was never going to be denied and put in a punch perfect display of calm, controlled violence. He dropped Lowe in the second round and stopped him in the sixth. It was a dominant, exciting display that set Ball firmly on his current path.

2023 – DECISION VICTORY OVER ISAAC DOGBOE

Ball rattled off three straight stoppage victories after the fight with Lowe and found himself nearing the top of the WBC featherweight rankings. He was matched with former world champion, Isaac Dogboe, in a final eliminator for the world title.

This was seen as Ball’s acid test. Dogboe is a skilful puncher who had been campaigning at world level for years and had only ever been beaten by Emanuel Navarette and Robeisy Ramirez.

It wasn’t close. Ball was far too strong and relentless for Dogboe but he was also too clever. He got a grip of the fight from the first bell and never let go, dominating Dobgoe for twelve rounds. A wide decision victory was a formality and Ball had earned his long awaited title shot.

2024 – DRAW WITH REY VARGAS

No world title is easy to win. But given just how many belts are available these days, some are definitely easier to win than others.
Ball got one of of the toughest tasks in the lower weight divisions. WBC champion, Rey Vargas, didn’t only hold a major advantage in world level experience, the awkward Mexican also towered over Ball and had been beaten only once in 37 fights. Not only that, but having never competed outside of Britain, the quietly spoken Ball had to travel to the new centre of boxing, Saudi Arabia, and contend with the intense media interest a Riyadh Season event generates.

After a scruffy start to the fight, Ball took over. He grew in self belief and got more and more effective as the fight wore on. By the midway point he had seized control and he bullied Vargas over the second half of the fight, dropping him twice and controlling the action.

There appeared to be only one winner but the judges at ringside disagreed and declared the fight a draw. It was a poor decision but Ball wouldn’t have to wait long for another shot.

2024 – DECISION VICTORY OVER RAY FORD

Ball didn’t have time to dwell on the injustice of his draw with Vargas. Just twelve weeks later he was back in Saudi Arabia for a fight with the slick, tough WBA champion, Ray Ford, as part of the Queensberry Vs. Matchroom ‘5 Vs. 5’ event.

Ball found a way to overcome Vargas’ experience and frame but the American southpaw promised to pose a different set of problems.

Yet again, Ball and his team figured things out. Ford found Ball to be a more skilled boxer than he may have anticipated. And when the two found themselves working at close quarters, Ball was the stronger and more active fighter.

It was close but after twelve rounds, Ball claimed a deserved split decision victory and finally heard the words every fighter dreams of hearing. ‘And the new.’

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