WBA featherweight champion Nick Ball is gearing up to face off against TJ Doheny this Saturday night, March 15th, at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, England. Ball is determined to make a stronger impression than Japanese sensation Naoya Inoue did when he fought Doheny.
In response to Doheny’s recent comments about proving who the real quitter is, Ball’s retort was emphatic. He declared that while he might be in a fight, he’s certainly not a quitter, even saying he’d “rather die than quit.” Such fighting words set the stage for what’s sure to be an intense showdown.
### Quitter Controversy
Last September, Doheny (26-5, 20 KOs) had to bow out in the seventh round against Inoue due to a back injury. This incident has led many fans to unfairly brand him a quitter, despite the seriousness of the injury. Followers of the sport had hoped he would push through the pain and continue fighting like a true warrior. Let’s hope his back doesn’t cause any more issues during the upcoming clash.
Ball (21-0-1, 12 KOs) has faced some criticism for picking Doheny, instead of more formidable contenders like Bruce Carrington and Brandon Figueroa, to defend his WBA title against. The decision clearly stems from a strategic standpoint, appealing to the UK audience while posing less risk.
In a conversation with Queensberry, Nick Ball shared, “I’m aiming to outdo what Inoue achieved. I genuinely believe I can achieve that. Doheny thinks he’ll show me up as a quitter—he’ll have to break me first.”
He continued, “I’d choose death over quitting any day. Watching Doheny, you can see the anger, whether it stems from past performances or something else. But that anger won’t help him against me. There will likely be a moment where he aims for a knockout, but he best be wary. In trying to take me down, he could find himself on the canvas.”
It seems the stage is set for an enthralling bout. Whether Doheny can overcome both his past and Ball’s confidence remains to be seen, but it’s sure to be a fight to remember.
