Nick Ball Retains His WBA Featherweight World Title After a Tough Fight Against Sam Goodman
In an exciting defense of his WBA featherweight world title, Nick Ball prevailed over Sam Goodman by unanimous decision in a contested bout. Ball, the only reigning British world boxing champion, proved his worth in the ring, but Goodman didn’t make it easy for him.
Ball connected more power punches and outlanded Goodman in punch volume, but the Australian’s jab and mobility allowed him to win some rounds in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The judges’ scorecards reflected scores of 117-111, 118-110, and 115-113 in favor of Ball.
After obtaining the WBA belt with a split decision over Raymond Ford in June 2024, Ball had won his previous defenses before the limit. However, Goodman proved to be a more complicated rival with his intelligent boxing.
“It was good, but it wasn’t the best performance. But I did the job. I got a little too involved,” Ball commented.
Nick Ball
Ball has expressed his desire to keep improving and facing renowned boxers. His next goals could be the WBO champion, Rafael Espinoza, to unify titles at 126 pounds, or even a dream fight against Naoya Inoue, the undisputed super bantamweight champion and one of the best pound-for-pound boxers in the world.
Goodman, for his part, had an outstanding performance after moving up a division to face Ball. The Australian, 26 years old, had only fought once in the last year due to cuts.Ball started strong, connecting a right hook in the first round. However, Goodman settled into the fight, limiting Ball’s attacks with his jab. In the fourth round, both exchanged blows, and in the fifth, Ball connected a right hand that staggered Goodman.
While the most telling blows came from Ball, Goodman was effective with his jab and movement. Some rounds were close, with Goodman responding to prevent Ball from dominating.
Ball connected a right uppercut in the ninth round and more punches in the tenth. The Liverpool boxer was more active in the eleventh round. Goodman’s movement decreased in the final rounds, allowing Ball to connect more punches. In the last round, both boxers sought the knockout in a frantic exchange.
Raymond Ford Moves Up in Super Lightweight
The former WBA featherweight champion, Raymond Ford, secured his third victory at super-lightweight since losing the title to Ball, by defeating Abraham Nova by unanimous decision in a classy performance.
Ford, whose movement was too clever for Nova, won with cards of 96-94, 97-93 and 97-93 in a 10-round fight with no title at stake.
Nova, born in Puerto Rico and raised in New York, exerted pressure in the third round, but Ford responded with quality punches on the ropes in the fourth. In the fifth round, Ford threw regular combinations, and a left hook shook Nova in the sixth.
Ford is in the top five in the four world organizations and his variety of punches, his solid defense and his intelligence in the ring will give all world champions problems.
Hrgovic Overcomes a Cut and Defeats Adeleye by Decision
Filip Hrgovic, who missed the opportunity to challenge for the IBF world title when he was stopped by Daniel Dubois in June last year, overcame an early cut to outpoint and defeat David Adeleye.
Hrgovic sent Adeleye to the canvas before appearing stunned in a tumultuous eighth round. The Croatian triumphed with unanimous cards of 98-91, 99-90 and 99-90.
The fight was not easy for Hrgovic. Adeleye opened a cut on his right eyelid with a left hook in the second round, and then connected a big left hook in the third that Hrgovic managed to overcome.
Hrgovic’s trainer, Abel Sánchez, did a crucial job on the cut, which allowed Hrgovic to recover in rounds 4 and 5.
In the sixth round, Hrgovic was already in control, but both had their moments in an exciting eighth round. Hrgovic wobbled Adeleye’s legs with a right hand at the beginning of the eighth round, and then knocked him down with a blow to the temple. After receiving the count, Adeleye came out swinging and Hrgovic was staggering around the ring after a furious flurry of punches.
Hrgovic regained control and his precision, as well as the volume of punches, ensured that the decision was never in doubt.
