Nick Ball focused on becoming undisputed, ‘doesn’t care’ about Naoya Inoue

The priority of WBA featherweight champion Nick Ball, for now, is winning all the belts at 126 pounds – and not welcoming Naoya Inoue into the weight class.

Ball is making the first defense of his title against Ronny Rios on October 5 at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, England. It’s a well-deserved homecoming for the 27-year-old after winning his belt in Saudi Arabia against Raymond Ford in June. The fight will mark not only his first contest back in his home city for six years but also his first in the city’s iconic arena. 

Ball will share the stage with five of his fellow stablemates.

“It’s going to be unbelievable,” Ball told BoxingScene. “I’ve been in the arena watching the fights over the years thinking, ‘It’ll be special to fight in here,’ and now’s the time. I’m going to be fighting as a world champion so even better with everyone behind me and all the lads out of the gym.”

Ball started his career on the small hall circuit and made his debut in Fusion, one of the city’s nightclubs which hosts many amateur fights. It is for this reason Ball believes many local fans of the sport have taken a shine to him.

“I’m from the same place they’re from,” Ball added. “I only live two or three minutes from here. I’m from Kirby, so all the kids growing up there, all the kids growing up here, they’re obviously doing what they’re doing. They’re starting the way I come, selling the tickets in the nightclubs, the sports centers, and now I’m on the big stage. I do my talking in the ring and it’s all action – that’s why people are paying for tickets to come and watch me.”

Rios, 34-4 (17 KOs), will be making his third attempt at a world championship after being stopped by Murodjon Akhmadaliev (2022) and outpointed by Rey Vargas (2017) down at junior featherweight. Now 34, it could be Rios’ final chance at realizing his career ambition and Ball is confident it won’t be a case of third time lucky.

“Everyone’s dangerous with eight-ounce gloves on,” Ball said. “In boxing, anything can happen – it only takes one punch. He’s obviously going to be coming, this is his opportunity to come and take what I’ve worked so hard for. He’s going to try to take it, but I’m going to let him know that’s not happening.”

Ball achieved his lifelong ambition of becoming world champion when he edged past Ford on the Matchroom vs. Queensbury ‘5v5’ on June 1 – something he feels he should have achieved in March when he challenged WBC ruler Rey Vargas, also in Saudi Arabia. The Briton struggled with his rangy foe in the early going but dropped his man twice in the second half and seemed to have done enough, only for it to be ruled a draw. Ball has now set himself a new goal of collecting the famous green belt he feels he was wrongfully denied, plus the other titles, to become undisputed king.

“I’m the best fighter in the division, but I’ve got [only] one of four belts,” Ball explained. “So obviously the goal is to get to the other three, but that green and gold one, the WBC, should be mine. I should have that on the other shoulder now but, obviously, I haven’t. Everyone knew what happened in that fight, so it would be good to get the rematch.

“Getting them four belts, everyone wants to become undisputed, don’t they? But not looking past no one, just taking each fight as it comes.”

Ball is one of the fighters linked with welcoming Naoya Inoue, the junior featherweight supremo, to the 126-pound division. However, this is something that has not crossed his mind. 

“Yeah not really haven’t even thought about that, to be honest,” Ball said. “I don’t really care, I just take one day at a time, each day as it comes. Staying in the gym, training, and focused. But then whatever may come after that we’ll deal with it then.”