Unbeaten super-featherweight Nick Ball eyeing title fights next
Unbeaten super-featherweight Nick Ball (9-0) is ready to enter title fights, he said ahead of his 10th professional contest against Cameroonian Abdon Cesar (3-9) on September 21 at the Greenbanks Sports Academy in Liverpool on a Black Flash Promotions event.
Headliner Ball, trained by Paul Stevenson at the thriving Everton Red Triangle gym, goes up against a London 2012 Olympian and bronze medalist in the 2011 All-Africa Games.
Ball said of Central African opponent, who now resides in Stockton-on-Tees, “I’m not gonna’ take anyone lightly or overlook anyone, so whatever he brings, I’ll figure it out on the night and take him out when I see an opening, but I’m not overlooking anyone.”
The 22-year-old Liverpudlian continued, “I think I’m ready for a title now, I’d say more than ready so whenever the opportunity comes up for that then I’ll take it, but just really itching to get in with the top lads now.
“Not really looking at anyone in particular, just anyone in my weight division I’ll fight, but I’m just focused on myself.”
A former Junior ABA champion, Ball only experienced 25 amateur fights after switching from Thai-boxing, and admits to still learning on the job, despite reeling off four straight KO wins in his last four fights.
“I’m learning with each fight, but when you’re first starting off against journeyman, their job is to survive, so it’s learning how to do it right by picking the right moments while building speed and strength. Learning how to do it in the ring, not just boxing, but learning how to hurt people.”
The 33-year-old occupying the away corner, known as ‘Abdon Mewoli’, will break a three-year hiatus when he steps through the ropes to face Ball, with his last contest way back in September 2016 against the current British super-featherweight champion Sam Bowen when ‘Bullet’ was just 6-0 at the time.
Ball promised his fans a treat, “The fans can expect excitement and action whether it goes distance or it’s another KO, but definitely it’ll be an exciting fight.”
Eager to push on towards title contention and with another fight date already scheduled in for November 30, Nick is heading straight back to the gym after his next fight with no respite at all.
“I’m gonna’ get back in the gym on Monday, will have Sunday off so I’ll get one day off. I need to stay ready so on Sunday I will probably just have one of my meal preps.”
The unbeaten prospect from the will headline the ‘September Showdown’ card which features eight of his Everton Red Triangle teammates.
Four-time national amateur champion Andrew Cain (3-0) will be chief support in a four-rounder at featherweight against Elvis Guillen (9-58-4).
Three-time national amateur champion and European bronze medalist Connor Butler (3-0) will be looking for a fourth victory in a four-round bantamweight contest with Steven Maguire (0-17).
Nick Ball’s sparring partner Jonathan Walsh (2-0) faces Michael Mooney (9-67-2) in a four-round super-lightweight contest.
Merseyside middleweight Harry Woods (2-0) has his third professional bout against London-based Italian Victor Edagha (2-63-3), who took fellow journeyman Mick Mills (1-12-1), fighting in his first ever home show, to a draw in his last bout in Maidstone.
2018 Senior ABA champion Bradley Strand (1-0) will tackle Batley’s Nabil Ahmed (0-2) over four-rounds at super-bantamweight.
Carly Skelly (1-0) looks to build on her debut win over Bec Connolly (2-5) in another four two-minute rounds contest at bantamweight against Roz Mari Silyanova (1-6-1).
Debutant Jack McKinlay, described by his coach Paul Stevenson as a good amateur and a big hitter, will make his pro bow at welterweight against William Warburton (26-155-10).
Liverpool super-middleweight southpaw James Heneghan (1-0) has his second professional contest five months after his debut points win over Genadij Krajevski (0-3). He faces Martin Kabrhel (2-16-1).
Debutants Michael Hedges (lightweight) and Junior Thompson (super-welterweight) complete the card.
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