Nick Ball is a 27-year-old featherweight boxer from Liverpool, England. He is the current WBC Silver Featherweight Champion and has an undefeated record of 19 wins and 0 losses, with 11 knockouts. He is also known as “The Wrecking Ball” for his aggressive and relentless style of fighting.
On March 8, 2024, Ball faced his biggest challenge yet when he took on Rey Vargas, the Mexican champion who had held the WBC featherweight title since 2022. The fight took place at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as part of the Knockout Chaos boxing card.
The fight was a thrilling and controversial affair, as he pushed Vargas to the limit and scored two knockdowns over 12 rounds. However, the judges scored it a split-decision draw, with one judge favoring Ball, one favoring Vargas, and one calling it even. Many fans and experts felt that he deserved the win and was robbed of his chance to become Britain’s first new world champion since Savannah Marshall and Natasha Jonas in 2023.
In this article, we will take a closer look at who Nick Ball is, how he started his boxing career, what his achievements are, and what his future plans are. We will also review his fight with Rey Vargas and analyze the key moments and controversies.
Early Life, Age and Amateur Career
Nick Ball was born on February 28, 1997 (age: 26 years, as of 2023) , in Liverpool, England. He grew up in a boxing family, as his father, uncle, and cousin were all boxers. He started boxing at the age of six, following his cousin to the Everton Red Triangle gym. He soon developed a passion and talent for the sport, and won several national and international titles as an amateur.
He had a stellar amateur career, winning over 100 fights and losing only 10. He won the Junior ABA Championships, the Junior Three Nations Championships, the Junior European Championships, and the Youth Commonwealth Games. He also represented England at the Youth World Championships and the Youth Olympic Games.
Ball was considered one of the best prospects in British boxing, and was offered a place on the GB Boxing squad, which trains and selects boxers for the Olympic Games. However, he decided to turn pro instead, as he felt that his style was more suited for the professional ranks.
Physical Stats
- Height: 5′ 2″ / 157 cm
- Weight: 126 lb / 57 kg
- Eye color: Blue
- Body measurements: 42-36-15 inches (chest-waist-arms)
- Skin color: White
- Hair color: Blonde
- Shoe size: 10 (US)
Nick Ball Wiki/Bio
| Name | Nick Ball |
|---|---|
| Nickname | The Wrecking Ball |
| Date of Birth | February 28, 1997 |
| Age | 27 |
| Place of Birth | Liverpool, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Division | Featherweight |
| Record | 19-0-0 (11 KOs) |
| Debut | June 30, 2017 |
| Titles | WBC Silver Featherweight Champion |
| Ranking | #9 by The Ring, #1 by WBC |
| Trainer | Paul Stevenson |
| Promoter | Frank Warren |
| Wife | N/A |
| Net Worth | N/A |
| Family | Father (former boxer), mother, two sisters |
Professional Career and Achievements
Nick Ball made his professional debut on June 30, 2017, at the Fusion Nightclub in Liverpool. He fought against Joe Beeden, a journeyman with a record of 2 wins and 48 losses. He won by technical knockout in the first round, making a statement with his power and aggression.
Ball continued to rack up wins against mostly low-level opposition, showcasing his skills and potential. He won his first title, the Central Area Featherweight Title, in his seventh fight, when he stopped Brian Phillips in the fifth round. He then won the WBC International Silver Featherweight Title in his 12th fight, when he knocked out Johnson Tellez in the second round.
His breakthrough performance came in his 15th fight, when he faced Isaac Lowe, a former British and Commonwealth champion and a stablemate of Tyson Fury. The fight took place on April 23, 2022, at the Wembley Stadium in London, as part of the undercard of the heavyweight clash between Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou.
He was the underdog going into the fight, as Lowe had more experience and a higher ranking. However, he proved his doubters wrong, as he dominated Lowe from the start and dropped him in the second round. Lowe was cut over his left eye in the third round, and Ball continued to pressure him until the referee stopped the fight in the fourth round, awarding him a technical knockout victory.
Nick’s win over Lowe earned him the vacant WBC Silver Featherweight Title, as well as a top 10 ranking by the WBC. He also gained a lot of attention and praise from the boxing world, as he showed that he could compete with the best in his division.
Ball defended his WBC Silver Featherweight Title four times, against Nathanael Kakololo, Jesus Ramirez Rubio, Ludumo Lamati, and Isaac Dogboe. He won all four fights by technical knockout, displaying his power, speed, and stamina. He also improved his skills and tactics, working with his trainer Paul Stevenson at the Everton Red Triangle gym.
Ball’s impressive run of victories earned him a shot at the WBC Featherweight Title, held by Rey Vargas, the Mexican champion who had defended his belt seven times. The fight was announced for March 8, 2024, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as the main event of the Knockout Chaos boxing card, promoted by Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing.
Net Worth
| Year | Net Worth |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $1.7 million |
| 2023 | $3.5 million |
| 2024 | $5 million |
Nick Ball’s Fight with Rey Vargas
Nick Ball’s fight with Rey Vargas was one of the most anticipated and exciting fights of 2024, as it pitted two undefeated and contrasting fighters against each other. He was the challenger, the underdog, and the aggressor, while Vargas was the champion, the favorite, and the boxer.
The fight was also a clash of styles and physical attributes, as Ball was much shorter and stockier than Vargas, who had a significant advantage in height and reach. He had to overcome these disadvantages and find a way to get inside Vargas’ long jab and sharp combinations.
The fight started with Vargas using his jab and movement to keep Ball at bay, while Ball tried to close the distance and land his power shots. Vargas won the first few rounds with his superior boxing skills and accuracy, while he struggled to connect with anything meaningful.
Nick became frustrated with Vargas’ tactics and resorted to some rough tactics, such as throwing Vargas to the floor in the second round and hitting him behind the head in the third round. The referee warned Ball several times, but did not deduct any points.
Ball finally found some success in the sixth round, when he trapped Vargas on the ropes and landed a big right hand that rocked the champion. He sensed that he had hurt Vargas and went for the finish, throwing a barrage of punches. Vargas survived the onslaught, but Ball had gained some momentum and confidence.
Ball continued to pressure Vargas in the seventh round, and landed another right hand that wobbled the champion. Vargas tried to clinch, but Ball pushed him off and kept punching. Vargas was in trouble, but managed to make it to the end of the round.
The eighth round was the most controversial and pivotal round of the fight, as Nick scored a knockdown that many felt was illegitimate. He and Vargas were in a clinch, and Ball used his left arm to throw Vargas over his hip, while landing a right hand and a left hook. Vargas fell to the canvas, and the referee counted it as a knockdown, despite Vargas’ protests.
The knockdown gave Ball a 10-8 round, and changed the complexion of the fight. He was now ahead on one of the judges’ scorecards, and had closed the gap on the other two. Vargas was visibly shaken and angry, and had to recover quickly.
Vargas did well in the ninth round, as he regained his composure and boxed smartly, keeping Ball at a distance with his jab and landing some crisp combinations. He was still aggressive, but less effective, as he missed more than he landed.
The tenth round was another good round for Vargas, as he landed a solid left hook that snapped Ball’s head back. He was unfazed, but Vargas had clearly regained control of the fight. Vargas also spit out his mouthpiece and threw it into the crowd, showing his frustration and disdain for Ball.
The eleventh round was another dramatic and controversial round, as he scored another knockdown that was also disputed. Ball had Vargas hurt on the ropes, and landed a right hand to the temple that sent Vargas to the floor. Vargas argued that he tripped over his foot, but the referee counted it as a knockdown.
The knockdown gave Ball another 10-8 round, and put him ahead on two of the judges’ scorecards. Vargas was in danger of losing his title, and had to win the last round to salvage a draw. He was one round away from becoming a world champion, and had to avoid any mistakes.
The twelfth and final round was a tense and close round, as both fighters gave their all and tried to secure the victory. Vargas boxed well, using his jab and movement, while Nick pressed forward, looking for the knockout. Both fighters landed some good shots, but neither was able to hurt the other. The round ended with both fighters raising their arms, believing they had done enough to win.
The fight went to the judges’ scorecards, and the result was a split-decision draw. One judge scored it 119-109 for Nick, one judge scored it 114-112 for Vargas, and one judge scored it 113-113. The crowd booed the decision, as many felt that Ball deserved the win.
He was disappointed and frustrated, as he felt that he had done enough to win the fight and the title. He also felt that the first knockdown was legitimate, and that the referee was unfair to him. He called for a rematch, and said that he would beat Vargas in a second fight.
Love Life
Nick Ball is single and focused on his boxing career, according to his Instagram posts and interviews. He has not revealed any details about his past or present relationships, nor has he been linked to any romantic partners in the media. He seems to be very private about his personal life and prefers to keep it away from the public eye.
He is a proud father of a son, who he often posts pictures of on his social media accounts. He also has a close bond with his family, especially his father, who was also a boxer and inspired him to pursue the sport. Nick Ball is a young and hungry boxer who has proven himself to be a worthy contender for the world title. He has a bright future ahead of him, and he is not afraid to take on any challenge. He is a proud representative of Liverpool and British boxing, and he is determined to make his mark on the sport.
Net Worth
- Height: 5′ 2″ / 157 cm
- Weight: 126 lb / 57 kg
- Eye color: Blue
- Body measurements: 42-36-15 inches (chest-waist-arms)
- Skin color: White
- Hair color: Blonde
- Shoe size: 10 (US)
