WBC #1 featherweight Nick Ball places his top five rivals in order
Ahead of his March 8 showdown with WBC featherweight champion Rey Vargas in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, mandatory contender, Nick Ball (19-0, 11KO), was asked to place his divisional rivals in order from one to five.
Speaking to Queensberry, the 27-year-old unbeaten WBC #1 featherweight from Liverpool was happy to admit how much he likes and respects domestic rival Josh Warrington as he placed him high up the list found below.
Nick Ball’s Top 5 Featherweights:
5. Robeisy Ramirez
4. Brandon Figueroa
3. Mauricio Lara
2. Josh Warrington
1. Rey Vargas
Ball commented on his top choice and next opponent, Rey Vargas, “He’s No.1 ain’t he. He is No.1 on paper, so I’m not lying, but he won’t be for long!”
Trained by Paul Stevenson at the Everton Red Triangle in Liverpool, Ball challenges WBC featherweight champ Vargas on the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s showdown with Francis Ngannou.
Despite being the challenger, the Brit is currently the bookies favourite to win, after compiling a 19-0 record with 11 KOs. In the Merseysider’s last five championship fights, he has stopped Isaac Lowe and dangerous Mexican Jesus Ramirez Rubio early, as well as teak-tough Nathanael Kakololo and former IBO world champion Ludumo Lamati both in the 12th rounds.
He defeated former WBO world super bantamweight champion Isaac Dogboe unanimously in his last fight in November 2023 to set up his shot at the world title, having held the WBC Silver belt for almost two years now.