Liverpool’s unbeaten featherweight Nick Ball talks about his first fight back in a year

Liverpool’s Nick Ball heads back to the ring for the first time in a year

Undefeated featherweight prospect Nick Ball (13-0, 6KOs) will fight for the first time in a year when he joins teammates Jack McKinlay (2-0) and Brad Strand (4-0, 1KO) on a Black Flash Promotions event on July 30 at the Devonshire House Hotel in Liverpool.

Ball will face an opponent yet to be confirmed over six-rounds at super-featherweight.

It was 12 months ago, back on July 31, when Ball last appeared in a ring, on a Queensberry Promotions event, live on BT Sport, against 6-0 Londoner Jerome Campbell.

24-year-old Ball defeated Campbell 79-72 on points over eight rounds and gave his opponent a standing eight-count in the seventh stanza as a result of his unrelenting pressure.

The talented prospect will be back fighting for the eighth time in his home city of Liverpool, four years and one month on from his pro debut in June 2017.

GBN caught up with the 'Wrecking Ball' ahead of his 14th fight:

 

Any news on the opponent for your next fight yet?

“I haven’t heard anything yet about my opponent, but I expect it will probably be someone tough who can give me a bit of a test.”

 

How does it feel to have two of your gymmates from Everton Red Triangle gym sharing the bill with you?

“Yeah, it’s boss all of us being in the gym together because we’re all working towards the same date, so we’re all doing the same training together and all working on the same things and sparring at the same level.

“It’s always like that down our gym, anyway, it’s always boss there. Just looking forward to the fight date and doing what we always do.”

 

What can fans expect to see from you on the night?

“Probably just more of me on show. More skill, more speed, more aggression.”

 

How did your ticket sales go?

“My ticket allocation just flew out, to be honest, because I think everyone is looking forward to getting back out again finally! I think the fighters all got 100 tickets each, so there’ll be around 900 fans there, but I think it’s set to be some in and some out, so going to work like that.”

 

Are you hopeful to be back out again soon after this fight?

“Hopefully, after this one, I should get a fight date off Frank [Warren], so that’ll be good.”

 

We understand you've been sparring with former Commonwealth champion and current WBA International featherweight titlist, Jordan Gill?

“I’ve just got back from sparring Jordan Gill in Rotherham, we did six rounds together. It was good, I’m happy with myself. He’s had a bit of experience, so it’s good to be sparring someone like that who is around my weight. That was actually our second spar and I think I’ll be going back again next week as well.”

 

Your rival Reece Mould just relinquished his English featherweight title in June, is that still a belt you're interested in?

“I’d be interested in that vacant English belt, yeah definitely, but just anything really, I’m just here to fight whoever Paul puts in front of me – and Frank – but I don’t look past anything so I’ll just a take it one fight at a time.”

 

Everton Red Triangle

Under the guidance of head coach Paul Stevenson, Ball trains alongside fellow Queensberry signings, Andrew Cain and Brad Strand, as well as super-middleweight prospect Harry Woods, and unbeaten talent Jack McKinlay.

The century-old boxing club also has Olympian Peter McGrail training there as he prepares for the Tokyo Olympics.

To follow Everton Red Triangle on Facebook, click here Everton Red Triangle FB Page

 

‘Back in Business’

The Friday fight night event on July 30 is suitably named ‘Back in Business’ and also features Ball’s teammates Jack McKinlay and Brad Strand, plus stablemate Carly Skelly (3-0-1), from nearby Litherland.

Former English super-flyweight champion Marcel Braithwaite (9-3) heads back to the ring for the first time since back-to-back defeats to world title contender Jay Harris and Britain’s newest world champion Sunny Edwards, who Braithwaite knocked down during their 2019 British title clash.

Mozambique-born Merseysider Dexter Makaza (1-0), a 27-year-old light-heavyweight from Liverpool, is also in action on the night; as are debutants Leon Willings from Widnes, and Rebecca Ainscough from Liverpool.

Tickets are £50 for ringside, and £35 of outer ring seats.

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