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It maybe best if Nick Ball delays meeting Naoya Inoue, here’s why
Before any major contest, boxers often play down the notion of what could lie ahead with a victory, but with fans, media and fighters always talking about the future, it is something which is hard to ignore.
One fighter who is a victim of this is WBA featherweight champion Nick Ball, and the conversation was reignited this past weekend following a unanimous decision win over Sam Goodman in Riyadh.
Goodman gave a good account himself, making it very difficult for Ball throughout the 12 rounds in a fight which some thought he’d won. For Ball on the other hand, it was not ideal.
Since the turn of the year, there has been constant talk of Ball being a future opponent for pound-for-pound superstar and current undisputed super bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue. But with Inoue being one of boxing’s hottest properties right now, he calls the shots, and Ball would need to capture his attention with statement performances.
Unfortunately, Saturday’s win over Goodman was not that, but it could be a blessing in disguise.
Inoue has business to attend to on September 14 when he defends his undisputed super bantamweight title against Murodjon Akhmadaliev and if he passes this test, there are some exciting matchups on offer.
With rumours of a ‘Japan vs The World’ event in the works for later this year, Inoue would no doubt be the face of this unique fight card, and with a move up to featherweight not too far away, some feel Ball was the perfect candidate to welcome ‘Monster’ to 126 lbs.
However, let’s be honest, while an Inoue-Ball is an exciting matchup, everyone wants to see the all-Japanese showdown between Inoue and three-weight world champion Junto Nakatani who is moving up to super bantamweight.
While this may rid Ball of the huge pay day he has been chasing, it could bide him some vital time in being the best possible condition to upset the pound-for-pound star.
As pointed out by Ring Magazine's Louis Hart, the Ring belt at featherweight is one that has been vacant for over 12 years, the longest for any Ring title, therefore chasing down the other world champions and becoming undisputed could be a better road to travel down.
The other champions at featherweight, Stephen Fulton, Angel Leo and Rafael Espinoza all offer strong tests, but with Ball’s aggressive, front foot style, he will fancy his chances.
Clearing up the featherweight division in the next 12 months would be an impressive feat for Ball and having the historic Ring belt around his waist would help build his profile, and break into the minds of boxing casuals.
This achievement would then make a meeting with Inoue even bigger with the ‘Undisputed vs Undisputed’, if the Japanese star can hold on to all his belts.
But with both Ball and Inoue being favourites of His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, it is likely this particular contest could be fast tracked and Ball’s promoter Frank Warren hinted on Saturday night that plans may already be in motion.
“If he comes through it, I think it’s a real distinct possibility of it happening,” Warren said on DAZN’s live broadcast before Ball and Goodman went head-to-head in the ring.
“I really want it to happen because I believe he will give Inoue a lot of problems and I fancy Ball to beat him.”
If Ball does face Inoue next, then he has the attributes to force the Japanese superstar out of his comfort zone, however, the showing against Goodman sowed a few doubts as to whether the Liverpudlian can change his strategy on the fly when things are not going his way which will certainly be needed against someone as dangerous as Inoue.
For Ball and his team, it’s vital they don’t get twitchy if the Inoue carrot is dangled, instead build him to be at his absolute peak for what will be the biggest fight of his life.
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