Nick Ball reaffirmed his dominance in the featherweight division with a commanding victory over TJ Doheny, successfully defending his WBA title. The bout, held at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, ended in the tenth round when Doheny’s corner decided to stop the fight due to the heavy punishment their fighter had taken. However, the match was not without controversy, as an incident sparked debate among fans and experts.

A One-Sided Fight

From the opening bell, Ball set a relentless pace, overwhelming Doheny with fast and powerful combinations. The Irish challenger, despite his experience and resilience, struggled to keep up with the champion’s athleticism and punching power.

In the third round, Ball landed a sharp left hand that wobbled Doheny, signaling the beginning of the end. As the rounds progressed, the British fighter intensified his attacks, forcing his opponent onto the back foot. By the sixth round, a devastating combination visibly took its toll, with Doheny’s right eye swelling significantly.

By the tenth round, after enduring a series of punishing blows, Doheny returned to his corner exhausted. At that point, his team made the call to stop the fight, awarding Ball the victory via technical knockout.

Ball’s Kick Sparks Social Media Outrage

Despite his dominant performance, Ball’s victory was overshadowed by a controversial incident at the end of the first round. During a brief clinch, Doheny attempted to control Ball with a borderline illegal move, but the champion’s reaction drew even more scrutiny. As Doheny turned to walk back to his corner, Ball delivered a sneaky kick to his leg, sending the Irishman to the canvas.

Referee Michael Alexander chose not to take immediate action, but the incident quickly ignited backlash on social media. Many boxing fans and analysts believe that Ball’s unsportsmanlike act warranted at least a penalty, if not a disqualification. The WBA and the British Boxing Board of Control are now reportedly considering disciplinary action against Ball.

Full Results from Liverpool Fight Night

– WBA Featherweight Title: Nick Ball defeats TJ Doheny via 10th-round TKO.
– British-Commonwealth-WBC Silver Bantamweight Titles: Andrew Cain defeats Charlie Edwards by decision (115-114, 115-113, 116-112).
– Super Flyweight Division: Jack Turner stops Ryan Farrag via 2nd-round TKO.
– WBA Intercontinental Lightweight Title: Jadier Herrera defeats Jose Macias Enriquez via 7th-round TKO.
– WBO European Super Bantamweight Title: Ionut Baluta wins against Brand Strand via split decision.
– Middleweight Division: Stephen Clarke beats Dmitri Protkunas by decision (60-54 over six rounds).