Nick Ball urges promoter Frank Warren to make the Louie Lynn fight
'Wrecking Ball' vs 'Loco' Lynn
Unbeaten featherweight Nick Ball (13-0, 6KOs) told SecondsOut he wants featherwight rival Louie Lynn (9-0, 7KOs) for the British title.
24-year-old unbeaten prospect, Nick Ball, is training hard at the Everton Red Triangle gym in Liverpool for his next fight date as Louie Lynn enters the ring this weekend in a maiden defence of his WBC International Silver title.
A three-time national amateur champion, Ball has passed his apprenticeship in the pro ranks now and is keen to chase after titles and bigger fights.
He was last seen debuting on BT Sport in July 2020 scoring a knockdown and a unanimous decision victory over 6-0 Jerome Campbell.
Since then, he hasn't been back on our TV screens and he attempted to explain why, "I was meant to box a couple of weeks ago on a small hall show in Liverpool but my opponent tested positive for coronavirus."
Ball was due to appear on the Black Flash Promotions event at the Devonshire House Hotel in Liverpool on July 30 but was given the disappointing news just two days before he was due to enter the ring. instead he watched from ringside as his teammate Brad Strand moved up to 5-0 with a third-round stoppage win.
He continued, "There's been no fight since, hopefully I'll have some news soon, it is frustrating, but that's boxing isn't it? Stuff like that happens, just got to keep going, can't feel sorry for yourself."
His last performance against Campbell was exciting and viewers were entertained by his fan-friendly style, yet he hasn't been back on a Queensberry Promotions show since, which has been disappointing for fight fans eager to follow the prospect's development.
"My style is TV friendly. It needs to change because that's what I need to be doing – staying active, and that's when you'll the see the best of me when the opponents come to fight, that's when it will really bring out the best in me and then you can see what I'm about."
Ball is more than ready for a title tilt, having reached 13-0 now in his fifth year as a pro and with eight full rounds under his belt.
He entertained the idea of title shots, "I don't know what's happening with the British, I know Leigh Wood had it but he's won a world title, so I'd put my name in for that, definitely."
Right now, both the English and British featherweight titles are currently vacant.
Another interesting option on Ball's growing wishlist is to face the winner of this Friday's WBC International Silver featherweight contest between titleholder Louie Lynn and challenger Amin Jahanzeb.
"His opponent, Amin, I haven't seen much of him, I've seen a few little clips of him and he looks good, his style looks tricky so that'll be a good fight, but I'd definitely want the winner of that fight."
Despite the lengthy layoff from fighting, Nick remains as motivated as ever, "I'm self-motivated, that's just what you've got to do. When you sign up for this sport, that's what you've got to do, without question, just got to keep training and take each day as it comes and out your all into each day and when you do get your opportunity then you're gonna be ready for it.
"In our gym, someone's always got a fight date, so we're always in training, and the sparring in our gym you're not getting any better sparring, in my opinion. You've got Peter McGrail, an outstanding amateur who has just turned professional now; Brad Strand; Andrew Cain; Jack McKinlay… all fighters like that, so it's outstanding."
Nick is fortunate to be a full-time pro where many at his level have to work full days elsewhere to make ends meet. But it has been over a full year since he has had a fight purse come in now.
"Sponsors are a massive help and my family to be honest, my mum and dad and my brother they help me out a lot, I wouldn't be where I am today without them, all their support I appreciate it, and all my sponsors know who they are, I appreciate the support off them; they just keep me going throughout. They could easily stop and get fed up because I'm not fighting but they've stuck with me so I can't thank them enough."
A lot of fighters take to Twitter to force their next fights, but Nick isn't often as outspoken as many others are. Instead, he has full confidence and trust in his trainer/manager Paul Stevenson from the Everton Red Triangle gym, who has guided him ever since turning over back in 2017.
"Paul Stevenson is my manager and I'm with him in the gym everyday so he keeps me updated on the news so heknows I'm ready whenever so as soon as we get the call I'm on it straightaway."
Ball's performance and reputation earned him a promotional deal with Frank Warren in March 2020, of which he has fought just once so far.
"It was a four-fight deal with Frank. If they brought the shows to Liverpool, we'd be the men to get them sold, there's loads of us here – Liverpool fighters in our gym that can sell the tickets and get the shows going in Liverpool, so that'd be good for us, and for Frank."
Although the apprenticeship is well and truly complete, title fights just around the corner, the young prospect is still working hard to learn his craft and improve his game every single day.
He concluded, "I'm still learning every day in the gym with Paul, but you learn the most in fights so each fight you're just learning, like in my last fight I learned loads when it went the distance, just maybe taking your time a bit more and know when to put the gas on and when to come off, little things like that. I always focus on my style because I'm me and not no one else."
Watch the entire interview with Danny Flexen here:
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