Nick Ball retained his world featherweight title and then immediately set his sights on a huge showdown with Naoya Inoue. TJ Doheny was pulled out by his corner before the 11th round at the M&S Bank Arena on Saturday night as Ball once again showed why he is viewed as one of the best fighters in the world.
However, the fight was not without controversy. After Doheny appeared to get Ball in a headlock at the end of the first-round, the Everton Red Triangle fighter responded by kicking out at the Irishman before he was deducted a point in the ninth for twice pushing his opponent to the canvas.
But in the end, the Scouser from Kirkby simply had too much for the experienced Doheny, who, it has to be said, showed huge heart to complete 10-rounds after taking some big shots. Ball was relentless with shots to the head and body, and with the 38-year-old clearly starting to feel the pace, and with his face swollen, it was no surprise that the fight was waved off following the 10th round.
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"In there, it's going to be tricky,” Ball said afterwards. “It's a world title fight in my own city. Sometimes I can rush in. The main thing is taking my time and it paid off.
"They [the crowd] want to see all the action. Obviously, I can box and go all action. I felt him getting tired with the pace I was setting."
Addressing the kick at the end of the first-round, WBA champion Ball said: “That was my Thai boxing days from when I was a kid. Frustration. He did a dirty move on me, so I did one back; that is what we taught.”
Ball has long spoken of his desire to test himself against pound-for-pound superstar Inoue. The Japanese fighter has demolished every opponent on his way to claiming world titles in four different weight classes.
Turki Al-Sheikh teased the prospect of the 31-year-old fighting in Saudi Arabia at the end of the year, and Ball just wants the fight to be made now.
He said: "Yeah definitely [to fight Naoya Inoue in Saudi Arabia in December]. Everyone is speaking about it, his name is starting to do my head in. The quicker the fight is made, the better."
Asked about the Inoue fight, Queensberry boxing chief Frank Warren said: "If that happens, it'll be towards the end go the year or the start of next year. That's the plan.
"Our job is to keep him busy and keep coming back here. Great undercard as well with fantastic fighters. I've got to take my hat off to TJ. Nick Ball is the best featherweight in the world."
