Liverpool’s Nick Ball on hero Mike Tyson and turning from plasterer to puncher
From plastering with his dad to the pinnacle of the featherweight division. Nick Ball is hoping this time he gets a smooth ride with the judges.
The Liverpool puncher takes on WBA champion Ray Ford this weekend in Saudi.
The second shot at a world title comes just a few months after he was harshly denied in his first crack against WBC champion Rey Vargas in the same venue.
That ended in a controversial draw. But Ball, 27, is tough enough to deal with the disappointment and use it as fuel to ensure he’s not left empty handed again when he faces the much-fancied unbeaten American.
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He’s never been a hugely hyped name and he had to build his name up slowly on small-hall shows and undercards. Now he’s fighting on the grand stage in Saudi. He puts it down to hard work, something he picked up from his dad, Stan.
While he was trying to impress as an amateur, Ball was put to work by his father who runs a plastering business.
“When I was a teenager I would go along with him to jobs and spend the day working,” he said. “It looked like that could have been my career at one stage.
“I would put the mixes on for him and carry the boards up. It was hard graft. I would work all day then train at night. Sometimes when I had amateur fights coming up I’d be running in the morning, then work and then train in the evening. They were long days. They always pay off.
(Image: Getty Images)
“It was those days that I realised I had to make a career out of boxing.” Ball simply had enough one day and packed it in. A bold move when your dad is the boss.
“I actually ran home with my boots on, I was on a job with my dad but I just left and ran home,” he said.
“I told him ‘I’m not doing this anymore, I’m doing boxing’. That’s when I turned pro. We haven’t looked back since. At first he wasn’t happy. He told me I had to finish the day’s work, blah, blah but now he sees what the bigger picture is. He wasn’t happy that day but he’s certainly made up for me now.”
Now he’s no longer helping smooth over walls, he’s busy taking down all comers. His short but stocky frame for the division and his style has led to some comparisons with his idol Mike Tyson.
(Image: Getty Images)
“I used to watch a lot of him,” added the Liverpool boxer. “The way he carries himself, we have similarities. That’s mad really, because it’s Mike Tyson. He’s a legend.”
A five-fight knockout streak from 2021 to 2023 captured the interest of promoter Frank Warren. Then a win over former world champion Isaac Dogboe secured the world title shot against Vargas, a fight which added a draw to his 19 wins.
But it is why Warren didn’t hesitate to ensure Ball was part of his Queensberry team for this 5v5 event against Matchroom this weekend.
“I wouldn’t be here without Frank, they’ve got the opportunity, they’re always backing me and getting me the chances,” Ball added.
“It’s added pressure all the time. But it is what you do with the pressure. I’m good when the pressure is on. It brings the best out of me. It’s going to get what I deserve this time.”
Watch ‘5 vs 5: Queensberry vs Matchroom’ live from Riyadh on TNT Sports Box Office from 7pm on Saturday. For more info: tntsports.co.uk/boxoffice
