Nick Ball has been building an ever-growing army of fans in Britain with his all action, ultra aggressive style. On Saturday night the unbeaten featherweight aims to make his mark on the world scene.
The Liverpudlian takes on the highly respected Isaac Dogboe in a final eliminator for the WBC 126lb title currently held by Rey Vargas. Any win would announce Ball as a legitimately world class fighter but if he can get past Dogboe in what is rapidly becoming his trademark, destructive fashion, then his star will rise to even greater heights.
Ball isn’t about to change the method that has carried him to 11 stoppages in 18 fights and Dogboe isn’t the type to shy away from a war. All of the ingredients are there for one of the British fights of the year.
“If you know boxing and fighting, you’ll know that this only makes out for a good fight. We both box in similar styles. We both come forward and we’re both exciting fighters,” Ball told 32Red.
“It’s only gonna make for an exciting fight and I think everybody knows that. Even people who don’t really watch a lot of boxing know that. I’m one shot away from getting my chance and I’m not gonna let it slip. The chance is now.”
Much has been made of Dogboe’s lengthy CV. and resultant edge in experience over Ball. The 29 year old won the WBO super bantamweight title in 2018 and although he lost twice to Emanuel Navarette and dropped a decision to the excellent Robeisy Ramirez earlier this year, he has mixed in elite company and always been competitive. Ball hasn’t spent much time worrying about. He insists that Dogboe is the one who will find out he is in too deep on Saturday.
“I look at it like he’s not been in the ring with me yet and he’s gonna find out what that’s like,” Ball said. “I don’t know if he’s underestimating me by saying I’m not world class or whatever but he’s gonna find out soon. I’m not like those fighters. They’re tall and skinny or whatever their styles are. I’ve got a completely different style and I’m gonna show him that it’s different.”