Nick Ball kicks, shoves and dominates his way to stopping TJ Doheny
Nick Ball stops TJ Doheny
WBA world featherweight champion Nick Ball continued his formidable run as the experienced former world champion TJ Doheny was pulled out by his corner after the 10th round at Liverpool's M&S Bank Arena.
In an action-packed fight, 28-year-old Ball kicked out at his opponent following a headlock in the first round and was later deducted a point in the ninth for twice throwing his opponent to the canvas.
But the 28-year-old Ball landed crisp and cleaner power punches to defend his WBA title.
Irishman Doheny, 38, was repeatedly hurt in the ninth and 10th rounds before his corner sensibly stopped the contest.
Australian-based Doheny had some success in the earlier rounds but felt the intense pace against the younger opponent down the stretch.
With his right eye swollen shut for the second half of the fight, Doheny became a sitting duck 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.
"In there, it's going to be tricky. It's a world title fight in my own city. Sometimes I can rush in. The main thing is taking my time and it paid off," Ball said.
Doheny falls to his sixth loss in 32 outings.
Ball – who made his debut in a Liverpool night club in 2017 – entered the ring to ear-splitting roars from the partisan Liverpool crowd, with the 11,000 capacity arena around a third full.
Doheny smirked as he was greeted by jboos. The former super-bantamweight world champion is no stranger to hostile environments, having competed in Thailand, United Arab Emirates and America.
Sparks began to fly when Doheny had the champion in a headlock and refused to let go after the bell had gone. A frustrated Ball responded by kicking Doheny in the legs and he slumped to the ground like a football player playing to the crowd.
Ball was given a stern telling off by the referee and the incident was quickly swept aside. The defending champion, known as a come-forward pressure fighter, often likened to Mike Tyson, landed a stinging left hook to the body and an overhand right in the third.
Wily southpaw Doheny posed a credible threat with his power. He has 20 KOs from his 26 wins, which is how he earned the nickname, 'The Power'.
Trained by Paul Stevenson, Ball was competing in his fourth world-title level fight in the past year and that sharpness and speed began to show.
The challenger went back to his corner puffing for air after a straight right in the sixth.
Ball was deducted a point in the ninth for wrestling Doheny to the ground, having been given a warning for the same offence earlier.
However, the writing was on the wall.
After several sustained attacks, with left and right hooks and three uppercuts in the 10th, the official was poised to call off the fight, regardless of whether Doheny's team instructed him to or not.
Ball, alongside heavyweight Daniel Dubois, remains one of Britain's two reigning male world champions.
Despite the undeniable talent and entertaining style, though, he is not yet a particularly recognised name for the casual boxing fan.
Picking up more belts at featherweight or finding a credible dance partner will likely increase his profile.
Asked who he would like to fight next, Ball said: "I don't know. It's not up to me, it's up to Frank [Warren], he's the best promoter in the world. Anyone."
A potential match-up with Japan's 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.
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.
Andrew Cain vs Charlie Edwards
Andrew Cain chased Charlie Edwards around the ring for 36 minutes to retain his British and Commonwealth bantamweight titles, whilst also claiming the WBC Silver strap.
Brad Strand vs Inout Baluta
The curse of Ionut Baluta struck the Everton Red Triangle yet again, with the Romanian defeating yet another of its team when he split decisioned Brad Strand.
The 31-year-old beat Andrew Cain in 2023, also by split decision, albeit a controversial one.
The scores were 97-93 to Strand and 98-91, 96-94 to Baluta, which was met with outrage by the partisan crowd. Baluta won the WBO European super-bantamweight title, which used to belong to Strand.
Jack Turner vs Ryan Farrag
Unbeaten middleweight Jack Turner destroyed Ryan Farrag in a brutal display, blasting the former Commonwealth titlist away in two rounds.
Lucas Biswana vs Ezequiel Gregores
Another of Everton Red Triangle's rising stars, Lucas Biswana, was in action on the card, winning his second pro bout on points. The 20-year-old dropped his man in round two to win 40-36 on points.
