MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 18: Nick Ball poses for a photograph with Frank Warren, English Promoter following victory towards Issac Dogboe within the WBC Silver Championship and Closing Elimination for the WBC World Featherweight Championship battle at AO Area on November 18, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Picture by Alex Livesey/Getty Photographs)
Nick Ball was not denied a featherweight title this time round.
The squat Brit outlasted Raymond Ford to win the WBA featherweight title through break up choice. All three scorecards have been 115-113, two for Ball and one for Ford in a terrific battle Saturday night at Kingdom Area in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Ball’s victory gave Queensberry Promotions a 2-0 lead over Matchroom Boxing in Saturday’s 5-vs-5 match.
Ball (20-0-1, 11 knockouts), No. 4 at 126, was denied the WBC featherweight title on this very area simply three months in the past. Rey Vargas managed to retain his title in a twelve-round draw on March 8, with a case that Ball deserved the choice and the belt.
It was a lesson realized by Ball, who jumped out to a powerful begin in his second consecutive title battle. Ford admitted after the battle that he let the early spherical slip away from him and didn’t hear sufficient to his nook. Ball shook off an early physique assault by Ford and powered his means inside to negate a five-inch top benefit.
Ford (15-0-1, 8 KOs), No. 7 at 126, picked up the tempo within the center rounds after he fell nicely behind. The defending titlist additionally suffered a minimize round his left eye. The injuries have been evened up when a left hand drew blood from Ball’s nostril within the seventh spherical.
Motion and momentum shifted because the bout headed into the later rounds. Ford returned to his lengthy jab and left hand within the tenth and eleventh spherical. Ball was by no means with out his moments however threatened to squander his early lead down the stretch.
Each fighters let their palms go within the twelfth and closing spherical. Ball briefly surprised Ford, who fell into the ropes. Ford instantly turned the tide and harm Ball with an uppercut. The 2 continued to face toe-to-toe in the course of the bout. Ford rocked Ball halfway by the spherical however was unable to complete the job. Ball stormed again with winging photographs as the 2 traded photographs till the bell.
Two of the three judges awarded the aggression of Ball, who wins his first main title as a professional. The feat watched his inventory soar over his previous few fights. Ball has been on a roll relationship again to his twelve-round win over former 122-pound titlist Isaac Dogboe final November 18 in Manchester, England.
Ford understandably felt he deserved the nod however didn’t complain or make excuses over the choice.
The Camden, New Jersey-bred southpaw admitted afterward that it was time to maneuver up in weight. He caught round for this chance however making weight was a wrestle even in his dramatic title-winning effort.
Ford claimed the WBA featherweight title in a Twelfth-round knockout over Otabek Kholmatov on March 2 in Verona, New York. That win and his slim defeat on Saturday are each 2024 Combat of the 12 months contenders, although the latter left him together with his first profession defeat.
The space win was value one level for Queensberry Promotions. Every group will get one level per choice victory and two factors for a knockout. Crew captains obtain double factors ought to they win.
Jake Donovan is a senior author for The Ring and vice chairman of the Boxing Writers Affiliation of America.
Comply with @JakeNDaBox
