England’s Nick Ball put things right the second time around as he defeated Raymond Ford to capture the WBA featherweight title at the 5 vs. 5 event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Ball suffered world title frustration three months prior when his bout with Rey Vargas was controversially scored as a split draw, despite the Liverpudlian appearing to do enough to capture the title. It meant that Ball headed into Riyadh looking to make amends in his second world title opportunity.
Ball and Ford faced off in a battle of undefeated featherweights with the WBA belt on the line, and Ball started fast as he immediately shut down the space and landed big shots early to Ford, who covered up well to avoid the worst of the damage.
As the fight started to settle, Ford looked to get his southpaw jab going and attempted to time Ball as he blitzed in with big hooks. It made for a fascinating opening few rounds, with both men scoring with slick combinations as they mixed up their work from head to body. But, as they went to the towels after three rounds, it was Ford who was wearing the damage, courtesy of a small nick under his right eye.
Ball continued his relentless phone-booth fighting approach, as he scored consistently with uppercuts and hooks over the top that left Ford with two more cuts, one under each eye.
But despite seemingly being on top, Ball received a warning in the seventh round as Ford connected with a huge left hand that gave the Englishman’s a moment’s pause. Ford then added another big uppercut of his own in the eighth as Ball’s busted nose sprayed blood across the ring.
But, despite being bloodied and taking big shots for the first time in the fight, Ball refused to take a back step as he maintained his high-pressure approach.
But, if Ball held the upper hand through the half-way point in the fight, Ford came storming back in the second half as he planted his feet and started to catch Ball clean with big shots.
It meant that the fight was up for grabs during the final few rounds as the pair traded big shots down the stretch as their took their crowd-pleasing clash all the way to the scorecards.
Predictably, the judges were split on the outcome, with each fighter earning a 115-113 scorecard in their favour. But the third 115-113 card was awarded to an elated Ball, who took the split-decision win, and the title after a thrilling encounter.
5 vs. 5: Queensberry vs. Matchroom – Official Results
- Zhilei Zhang (Q) def. Deontay Wilder (captain, M) via knockout – Round 5, 1:51
- Daniel Dubois (Q) def. Filip Hrgovic (M) via TKO (doctor stoppage) – Round 8, 0:57 – for IBF interim heavyweight title
- Dmitry Bivol def. Malik Zinad via TKO – Round 6, 2:06 – for WBA Super and IBO light heavyweight titles
- Hamza Sheeraz (captain, Q) def. Austin Williams (M) via TKO – Round 11, 0:45 – WBC silver middleweight title
- Nick Ball (Q) def. Raymond Ford (M) via split decision (113-115, 115-113, 115-113) – for WBA featherweight title
- Willy Hutchinson (Q) def. Craig Richards (M) via unanimous decision (116-112, 117-111, 119-109) – for WBC silver light heavyweight title
