Nick Ball beats TJ Doheny but can he topple Naoya Inoue?
Plus, Ammo unloads in Orlando, Kenshiro’s KO and Thurman rocks Brock
At first it all seemed a little far-fetched. After breaking down TJ Doheny in front of his hometown Liverpool crowd, it appears that Nick Ball could indeed fight Naoya Inoue at the back end of the year.
Promoter Frank Warren has it on his mind. Saudi paymaster Turki Alalshikh expects Inoue to grace the desert at the tail end of 2025. Ball could be the perfect featherweight debut opponent for the ‘Monster’. TNT Sports analyst Anthony Crolla makes Inoue “only a very slight favourite”. Could the wrecking Ball really be the man to topple him?
It’s a tall order. Beating up Irish veteran TJ Doheny offered some points of comparison. Doheny had extended Inoue into round seven last September before the Portlaois southpaw suffered a back injury that left him hobbling around the ring like Norman Wisdom.
TJ resumed that walk briefly at the end of round one on Saturday night, comically rolling to the floor after Ball had kicked him in the backside. That incident was no laughing matter. Had Doheny been more cunning, or the referee a little fussier, Ball’s WBA featherweight title reign could’ve been in jeopardy, and any shot at Inoue off the table.
Thankfully, Doheny resumed battle, caused a few stylistic issues along the way before his corner compassionately pulled him at the end of the 10th round. Draped over the ropes, Doheny looked like a fighter who had rolled the dice for the final time.
Promoter Frank Warren described him as a true fighting man. Ball, meanwhile, is young, fresh and powerful. This time it was patience, a solid jab and the benefits of youth that allowed him to grind down a stubborn foe.
Paul Stevenson called it the perfect execution of a devised strategy. They’ll need one hell of a gameplan to get the better of Naoya Inoue if that bout can be made at the back end of the year. Ball may well be the best featherweight in the world. Will that be enough?
Ammo Williams outpoints Patrice Volny; Berlanga’s big return
Later in the evening on DAZN, Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams defeated Canada’s Patrice Volny via 12-round unanimous decision. Williams posted a disciplined display and stayed switched on for the duration.
He needed to. Volny is a controlled and capable opponent with good fundamentals. Credit to Williams’ trainer Kevin Cunningham, a rugged disciplinarian, who kept ‘Ammo’ motivated and focused, allowing the talented southpaw to pick his spots at the right times and box home to his first meaningful victory since a KO loss to Hamzah Sheeraz in 2024.
Eddie Hearn was proud of the man he has guided since his pro debut. Williams was proud of his pregnant wife, showing her off to the world. Judge Fred Fluty should not be proud of his 118-110 scorecard. It was a disgrace. Volny shuffled swiftly out of the ring after the scores were read out.
There wasn’t much to write home about on an undercard that saw Jalil Hackett fall off injured at the 11th hour. Olympic bronze medallist Omari Jones took care of business in round two, battering his Italian opponent. The writing was on the wall from the opening round, although referee Luis Pabon’s timing was a little odd when stopping the contest.
Edgar Berlanga remains an exciting addition to the super-middleweight division, even if he came in almost two pounds over the weight. Ex-jailbird opponent Jonathan Gonzalez-Ortiz showed the technical proficiency of someone who once knew how to box a bit. His muffin top waistline showed exactly where he’s at right now.
Berlanga dropped him three times on the way to a first-round KO, proceeding to lobby for a Canelo rematch (unlikely) or clashes with the likes of Munguia (possibly), Jermall Charlo (why?) or Caleb Plant (a welcome grudge match). Berlanga’s contract with Matchroom is now up so he can go wherever he is wanted.
Drop a like and leave a comment below. Let me know how YOU saw the fights at the weekend. Agree or disagree with Wellings’ ramblings?
Keith Thurman rocks Brock with third round comeback KO
Entering the Sydney ring on Wednesday morning (UK time) the question remained: what has Keith Thurman got left? Quite a lot as it turns out.
The former unified welterweight champion has become a humorous meme over recent years given his lifestyle choices and semi-professional attitude to ring life. A round three thumping of Brock Jarvis showed that, if he can stay injury free, Thurman has a part to play at 154 pounds.
‘One Time’ Thurman has become no time in recent years, enduring long spells away from the action. Keith insists that not all of that was his fault and his love for the sport remains.
The eye test was pleasing. Thurman dropped the aggressive Jarvis in round three before finishing him off with a picture perfect left uppercut in the same round.
If he can stay fit, then a fight with another Aussie, Tim Tszyu, could be on the table. The pair were supposed to fight last year but Thurman pulled out (you guessed it) injured.
Kenshiro Teraji saves the day with 12th-round Akui stoppage
Out in Japan on Thursday, Kenshiro Teraji pulled a 12th-round cat out of the bag, dramatically stopping Seigo Yuri Akui. Kenshiro added Akui’s WBA flyweight title to his own WBC strap in the Tokyo headliner.
ESPN broadcast the event, through Sky Sports, with lead commentator Corey Erdman and his sidekick picking up scorecards and ringside information on the fly (excuse the pun) all night to keep the viewer up to speed.
Teraji was behind on two of the three scorecards so really needed a big finish and he duly delivered. Turning away the opportunity to unify the flyweight belts, Teraji instead stated his intention to move on up to super-flyweight (115 pounds) and try his luck there. A title shot would likely come quickly as this was his 17th consecutive world title fight.
Image Credits: Bad Left Hook, BoxingNews24, No Limit Boxing, Fight Mag.
About Steve…
Current existence: Online editor at Boxing News Magazine.
Previous lives: Author (8 books), podcaster (500+ eps), scriptwriter for Motivedia channel, newspaper journalist, copywriter & educator.
Contact: stevenwellings1982@gmail.com
Gotta go with Naoya. Like Muhammad Ali used to say, “I’m too pretty. Nobody has laid a glove on this face.”