Nick Ball comes through sturdy Sam Goodman test to retain WBA featherweight crown

Nick Ball mounted another successful defence of his WBA featherweight title against Sam Goodman on Saturday, but the star was made to work hard in an enthralling contest.

The Briton scored a unanimous decision victory by surprisingly wide scorecards of 118-110, 117-111, and 115-113 to retain his strap against the Australian at Riyadh's ANB Arena.

Victory not only underlines Ball's position as one of the dominant fighters currently operating at his weight, but also keeps his hopes alive for a future super-bout with Naoya Inoue.

Goodman, who twice was due to face 'The Monster' near the new year before a sparring injury robbed him of his chance, made the step from super-bantamweight in Saudi Arabia.

Finally rewarded with the world title fight he has chased in recent months, the star gave a fine account of himself and proved to be a superlative match for the defending champion.

Yet in the end, he could only suffer a first professional defeat as Ball showed his mettle in the closing rounds to pull away and add another triumph to his own unbeaten record.

Both men spent fight week in a confident mood, predicting they would be able to walk the other down and further underline their respective credentials around the lower divisions.

That translated into a contest where neither effectively gave a quarter in the opening exchanges, as Ball sought to test the taller, rangier Goodman at his new weight class.

The Illawarra fighter found his mark with some impressive work to the head and body across the first four rounds, before the incumbent champion returned fire in the fifth.

A slew of trademark combinations from Ball, delivered with lightning-quick pace, allowed him to keep the fight on an even keel as it headed past the halfway mark, too close to call.

Goodman kept his feet intelligently throughout the contest, frequently landing blows and standing toe-to-toe with a fellow top operator, each with a granite chin to the last round.

There was some audible surprise at the margin of victory from the judges, but in the end, however, few could argue against Ball's worthiness as he kept his place in history.

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