Get to know… unbeaten super-featherweight prospect Nick Ball
BBN met with unbeaten super-featherweight Nick Ball at the talent-laden, thriving Everton Red Triangle Gym in Liverpool to find out all about the exciting 130-pounder smashing his way through his opponents, the last four falling inside the distance.
The 22-year-old took time out on fight week to speak to BBN just three days before his 10th professional contest on September 21 at the Greenbanks Sports Academy in Liverpool.
Name: Nick Ball
Record: (9-0, 4KO)
Weight: Super-featherweight
Born: Liverpool
Residence: Liverpool
DOB: 28/02/1997
Nickname? “People have suggested some to me, like ‘Wrecking Ball’, but not one has stuck or felt like that’s me. The way you fight, your style will indicate what you should be called, so let’s see what the fans will call me as we go on.”
Favourite all-time boxer? “Mike Tyson.”
Favourite current boxer? “Gervonta Davies.”
Favourite fight? “Gervonta Davies TKO7 Jose Pedraza – IBF World super-featherweight title, January 2017.”
Boxing clubs? “Kirkby ABC.”
Amateur honours? “I had 25 fights, only lost two. I won the CYP’s, the Junior ABA’s, and gold in Tri-Nations.”
Biggest achievement in boxing? “Turning professional was always a dream of mine but I haven’t achieved what I want to achieve yet.”
Toughest ever opponent? “No one stands out, they’ve all been tough so far, but you just figure it out when you’re in there.”
Goals in boxing? “My goal in boxing is to be remembered, to go down with all the great names and to become a world champion. I want to be remembered for being exciting.”
Retirement age? “No, just when I’ve done what I’ve got to do, so that’s when it will be.”
Team? “Paul Stevenson is my coach, he’s my manager too; the lads in the Everton Red Triangle gym, it’s a small team but it’s all we need.”
Boxing style? “All-action.”
Ring walk song? “Rap music, I change the song every time. Last one I had Drake – Mobb Ties.”
Pre-fight rituals? “No, but I’ve been weighing in then getting food from a place called Spitroast in Liverpool.”
Favourite brand of gloves? “Winning.”
Best venue? “The Adelphia Hotel in Liverpool, that was the biggest venue, I fought there for my world title in Thai-boxing when I was 14.”
Best belt? “I love the Lonsdale belt but above that it has to be WBC.”
Favourite football team? “Liverpool FC.”
Other sports? “No.”
Favourite holiday destination? “America.”
Favourite TV programme? “Top Boy at the moment.”
Favourite film? “Have to be a Denzel Washington.”
What actor would play you in a film of your life? “Not sure, that's a hard one!”
Favourite music? “Rap music.”
Favourite food? “Italian.”
Favourite restaurant? “The Casa Italia in Liverpool.”
Favourite brands? “I like trainers, clothes and all fashion, I like Nike.”
Favourite superhero? “No not into all that.”
Phobias? “No.”
Motto? “Pushing myself to the absolute limit. Train to kill.”
Next fight? “This weekend, September 21, then November 30, both at Greenbanks Sports Academy in Liverpool.”
What fight do you want to see happen this year? “Gervonta Davies vs Tevin Farmer.”
If you could fight anyone, past or present, who would it be? “I don’t really know because I respect all the boxers from the past, so wouldn’t like to fight them. Anyone that was put in front of me, really.”
What is the best division to watch in boxing and why? “It depends on the boxer, if you watch two heavyweights it could be either exciting or slow, just depends on the boxers that are fighting.”
What is most important to you in your career between money and glory? “To make as much money as I can and do everything that I set out to do and make sure I make a name for myself.”
Where do you want to be in your career in exactly one year’s time from now? “I see myself definitely with a belt, but don’t know what belt.”
Tell us something that not many people know about you? “I used to work with my dad plastering.”
Twitter?@nick_ball97