Ball kicks Doheny on way to stoppage win

Featherweight world champion Nick Ball continued his formidable run as the seasoned TJ Doheny was pulled out by his corner before the 11th round at Liverpool's M&S Bank Arena.

In an incident-packed fight, Ball kicked out at his opponent following a headlock in the first round and was deducted a point in the ninth for twice pushing his opponent to the canvas.

But the 28-year-old Ball landed crisp and cleaner power punches to defend his WBA title.

Irishman Doheny, 38, was repeatedly hurt in the ninth and 10th rounds before his corner stopped the contest.

Doheny had some success in the earlier rounds but felt the pace against the younger opponent down the stretch.

With his right eye swollen shut for the second half of the fight, Doheny became a sitting duck before the bout was halted.

Ball, who extends his record to 22 wins and one draw, was fortunate not to be disqualified – or at least have points deducted – after kicking out at his opponent.

The local fighter was not asked about the kick in his post-fight interview.

"In there, it's going to be tricky. It's a world title fight in my own city. Sometimes I can rush in. The main thing is taking my time and it paid off," Ball said.

Doheny – who has travelled the globe plying his trade in a 13-year career - loses his sixth fight in 32 outings.

Ball – who made his debut in a Liverpool night club in 2017 – entered the ring to ear-ringing roars from the partisan Liverpool crowd, with the 11,000 capacity arena around a third full.

Doheny smirked as he was greeted by jeers. The former super-bantamweight world champion is no stranger to hostile environments, having competed in Thailand, United Arab Emirates and America.

Sparks began to fly when Doheny had the champion in a headlock and refused to let go. A frustrated Ball responded by kicking Doheny in the legs and he slumped to the ground.

Ball was only given a stern word by the referee and put the incident behind him. The 5ft 2in champion, known as a come-forward pressure fighter, landed a stinging left hook to the body and an overhand right in the third.

Wily southpaw Doheny posed a credible threat with his power. He had finished 20 of his 26 wins inside the distance.

But Ball was competing in his fourth world-title level fight in the past year and that sharpness and speed began to show.

The Portlaoise fighter went back to his corner puffing for air after a straight right in the sixth.

Ball was deducted a point in the ninth for wrestling Doheny to the ground, having been given a warning for the same offence earlier.

However, the writing was on the wall.

After several sustained attacks, with left and right hooks and three uppercuts in the 10th, the official was poised to call off the fight, regardless of whether Doheny's team instructed him to or not.

Ball, alongside heavyweight Daniel Dubois, remains one of Britain's two reigning male world champions.

Despite the undeniable talent and entertaining style, though, he is not yet a particularly recognised name for the casual boxing fan.

Picking up more belts at featherweight or finding a credible dance partner will likely increase his profile.

Asked who he would like to fight next, Ball said: "I don't know. It's not up to me, it's up to Frank [Warren], he's the best promoter in the world. Anyone."

A mooted match-up with Japan's Naoya Inoue would certainly captivate a mainstream audience.

'The Monster' - with 26 stoppage wins in 29 wins - is a legitimate global great.

Inoue is expected to successfully defend his undisputed super-bantamweight title against Ramon Cardenas in May and has teased a move up to featherweight.

Warren's wish of Ball headlining a stadium fight at either Liverpool or Everton Football Club may just entice Inoue into making a trip to the North West of England.