NICK BALL retained his world featherweight title in front of his hometown crowd with a relentless 10th round TKO stoppage over TJ Doheny!
Liverpool favourite Ball is one of the most exciting fighters in British boxing and could now face Japanese superstar Naoya Inoue next.
The pair had to be separated by security as the weigh-in descended into chaos on Friday and Ball then went unpunished for landing a KICK on his rival following a tangle at the end of round one.
Doheny started well but Ball’s relentless style saw the Liverpudlian exert pressure and tick off rounds before Doheny’ corner threw in the towel before the start of the 11th.
Andrew Cain and Charlie Edwards earlier met for the British and Commonwealth bantamweight titles, with Cain winning a split decision after a boring fight.
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Turner’s left hook sends Farrag tumbling to the canvas
Apart from that brilliant main event, the other massive highlight tonight goes to Liverpool’s own Jack Turner.
After starting the fight well in the first round, Turner did not slow his approach and came at Ryan Farrag at full steam.
He didn’t waste any time putting Farrag on the ropes and let his hands go swinging.
It was the final left hook that sent his opponent tumbling onto the canvas, with Turner then jumping on top of the ropes with sheer joy of what he had just done.
At just 23 years old and now 11-0, Turner has lots of potential in the Super-flyweight division.
Jack Turner celebrates his victory after beating Ryan Farrag in Liverpool The Wrecking Ball’s night
In an incident-packed fight, Ball kicked out at his opponent following a headlock in the first round and was deducted a point in the ninth for twice pushing his opponent to the canvas.
But the 28-year-old Ball landed crisp and cleaner power punches to defend his WBA title.
Can Warren entice Inoue?
A potential match-up with Naoya Inoue would certainly captivate a mainstream audience.
‘The Monster’ – with 26 stoppage wins in 29 wins – is a legitimate global great.
Inoue is expected to successfully defend his undisputed super-bantamweight title against Ramon Cardenas in May and has teased a move up to featherweight.
Veteran promoter Frank Warren’s wish of Ball headlining a stadium fight at either Liverpool or Everton Football Club may just entice Inoue into making a trip to the North West of England.
Frank Warren, founder of Queensberry Promotions, at the WBA World Featherweight title fight between Nick Ball and TJ Doheny
Who is Naoya Inoue?
The smart money on who Ball’s next opponent will be is on Naoya Inoue, a Japanese professional boxer.
He has held multiple world championships in four weight classes, and is one of only three male boxers in history to become the undisputed champion in two weight classes in the “four-belt era”.
Naoya Inoue poses for photographs last year following a press conference ahead of his super bantamweight fight with Ireland’s TJ Doheny in Tokyo Ball not asked about kick
Irishman TJ Doheny, 38, was repeatedly hurt in the ninth and 10th rounds before his corner stepped in and stopped the contest.
Doheny had some success in the earlier rounds but felt the pace against the younger opponent as the match progressed.
With his right eye swollen shut for the second half of the fight, Doheny became a punch bag before the bout was halted.
Ball, who extends his record to 22 wins and one draw, was fortunate not to be disqualified – or at least have points deducted – after kicking out at his opponent.
The local fighter was not asked about the kick in his post-fight interview, below.
Nick Ball after his match against TJ Doheny, which he won with a stoppage at the end of the 10th round at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool Should Nick Ball have been DQ’d?
Liverpool favourite Nick Ball’s fight vs TJ Doheny was as tense and tasty as you could’ve asked for.
The pair were at each other all night, even after rounds.
After the fifth round, Doheny seemed to have Ball in a headlock and to the frustration of the world featherweight champion, he kicked out on his Irish opponent.
Many have called for at least a points deduction but it could’ve, and probably, should’ve been worse.
Card recap
A fantastic night of boxing at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool.
- Stephen Clarke BEAT Dmitri Protkunas by points
- Ionut Baluta BEAT Brad Strand by split decision
- Jadier Herrera BEAT Jose Macias Enriquez by TKO in the seventh round
- Andrew Cain BEAT Charlie Edwards by split decision
- Jack Turner BEAT Ryan Farrag by KO in the second round
- Nick Ball BEAT TJ Doheny by TKO after the referee stopped it in-between rounds 10 and 11.
‘The quicker the fight is made, the better’
Nick Ball has made it no secret that he is open to a fight against Naoya Inoue.
Turki Al-Sheikh went on social media to promote Inoue fighting in Saudi at the end of the year, and when posed about the opportunity of the dust-up, if timelines match up, Ball is all for it.
“Yeah definitely [to fight Naoya Inoue in Saudi in Decemeber],” said Ball to Ring Magazine.
“Everyone is speaking about it, his name is starting to do my head in; the quicker the fight is made, the better.”
Ball vs Inoue next?
With this fantastic second WBA title defense from Nick Ball, the attention now goes to who he could fight next.
Many fans are hoping that his next bout could be against one of the best boxers in the world, Naoya Inoue.
Even for the impressive Nick Ball, Inoue would be a big step up in competition.
The Japanese fighter is the reigning IBF, WBC and WBO super bantamweight champion of the world and is 29-0 with 26 finishes.
However Frank Warren suggested this fight might be later than fans were hoping for.
He said “A fight with Inoue would happen towards the end of the year or maybe early next year, that’s the plan”.
A fantastic display in the main event
Last night’s main event saw Nick Ball have one of his best performances of his career as he beat TJ Doheny by TKO after the referee had stopped the fight in between rounds 10 and 11.
Nick Ball was on a mission to show why he is one of the best featherweights in the world.
And that performance showcased why pundits and fans have been saying that.
As for TJ Doheny, that was likely the last time the 38-year-old will fight for a world title.
The Irishman has now come up against Nick Ball and Naoya Inoue in back-to-back fights, two of the best boxers at this weight.
Doheny showed lots of heart in last night’s loss and should look back at his performance with his head held high.
The KO of the night
Apart from that brilliant main event, the other massive highlight tonight goes to Liverpool’s own Jack Turner.
After starting the fight well in the first round, Turner did not slow his approach and came at Ryan Farrag full steam ahead.
He didn’t waste any time putting Farrag on the ropes and let his hands go swinging.
It was the final left hook that sent his opponent tumbling onto the canvas, with Turner then jumping on top of the ropes with sheer joy of what he had just done.
At just 23 years old and now 11-0, Turner has lots of potential in the Super-flyweight division.
Tonight’s fight results
Here’s a look back at what unfolded on tonight’s card.
A fantastic night of boxing at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool.
- Stephen Clarke BEAT Dmitri Protkunas by points
- Ionut Baluta BEAT Brad Strand by split decision
- Jadier Herrera BEAT Jose Macias Enriquez by TKO in the seventh round
- Andrew Cain BEAT Charlie Edwards by split decision
- Jack Turner BEAT Ryan Farrag by KO in the second round
- Nick Ball BEAT TJ Doheny by TKO after the referee stopped it in-between rounds 10 and 11.
What Frank Warren had to say
Shortly after Ball spoke about his performance, his promoter, Frank Warren, got on the mic and made some interesting suggestions regarding Ball’s future bouts.
He said: “A fight with Inoue would happen towards the end of the year or maybe early next year, that’s the plan.
“But Nick doesn’t want to wait that long, he still wants to fight, it’s our job to keep him busy and keep bringing him back here in Liverpool.
“I also want to take my hat off to TJ[Doheny]; he is a true fighting man.
“Nick Ball is the best featherweight in the world! bar none.”
Nick Ball shows respect to TJ Doheny
With the WBA featherweight belt wrapped across his waist, the ringside reporter asked Ball about his performance and what he made of his opponent.
He said: “In there, I knew it was going to be tricky, it’s a world title fight.
“The main thing was taking my time and just do what I’ve been working on in the gym.
“They [the crowd] want to see all action, but I can box and do that so I’ve shown both now”.
And still!
After that boxing clinic, Doheny retains his WBA featherweight world title.
After ten completed rounds of boxing, the referee, Michael Alexandre, stopped the contest in between rounds after Ball was piling on the pressure on his opponent.
Still undefeated, Ball is now 22-0 and has defended his title twice, he now looks onto some potentially huge fights.
Who should he fight next?
Nick Ball wins by TKO!
After that ferocious tenth round by Ball, Doheny just can’t carry on.
After a very tired-looking Doheny, he is seen shaking his head, looking defeated.
The referee decides he has seen enough and waves off the fight.
Nick Ball vs TJ Doheny – Round 10
That was a huge round by Ball!
The champion lands big flurries on Doheny as he puts him onto the ropes, letting his hands go.
Respect to the Irishman there who is staying in this fight and makes it to the eleventh round.
Nick Ball vs TJ Doheny – Round 9
One point taken off from Ball!
After landing a big combination, Ball pushes the Irishman down, and after the second time doing so, the referee takes away a point.
Ball responds brilliantly, landing big straight punches going up a gear as he really tests Doheny’s gas tank.
How could that affect the scoring?
Nick Ball vs TJ Doheny – Round 8
Ball continues to throw shots and is setting the tempo in this fight.
Doheny lands a good few of his own but nothing is effecting the high guard of the champion.
Ball lands a blasting left jab that snaps the back of Doheny’s neck.
Another great round for the champ.
Nick Ball vs TJ Doheny – Round 7
Nick Ball is back on with the pressure from the first second as he lands big punches in the pocket.
Ball is showing his youth here showing the stamina of a hungry champion wanting more.
Doheny is starting to slow down and less punches are coming Ball’s way.
Nick Ball vs TJ Doheny – Round 6
Ball is back on the pressure this round and lands some fantastic punches.
A quick pause in action as Doheny’s laces are untied.
Ball lands a great one-two combination that looked brilliant in slow motion.
A great round from Ball as we reach the midway mark.
Nick Ball vs TJ Doheny – Round 5
A good round by Doheny here in the fifth, as he does slow Ball’s rhythm well, with consistent in and out attacks.
Ball seemed to struggle to get his combinations off this round and seemed frustrated at himself going back to the corner.
The champion will be hoping to go up a gear in these next few rounds.
Nick Ball vs TJ Doheny – Round 4
Doheny is very much trying to slow this fight down to his pace, however, the man from Liverpool is just so relentless with his forward pressure.
Some great punches to the body land on Doheny who is just enough to keep up with Ball.
Another good round by the champion.
Nick Ball vs TJ Doheny – Round 3
Ball very much in control of this fight, upping the tempo and throwing much more punches in this round.
Doheny does land a nice straight hand, but Ball shows no sign of effectiveness.
Ball responds with some excellent combinations that are landing at will.
A fantastic left hook lands over the top as the Irishman tried to evade but it lands perfectly on the temple just before the end of the round.
Nick Ball vs TJ Doheny – Round 2
A much closer round two sees both men land nice combinations on each other.
Ball, still much the aggressor, is looks for a powerful right hand over the top that almost lands but Doheny does well to read it.
Doheny, now 38, shows his experience well and is holding his own in this fight.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
