Rachel Ball rose to the top of women’s boxing in a completely unpredictable way, and she admits it herself.

In the space of three years, Ball went from fighting for free to interim WBC world champion and fighting on Sky Sports. 2021 was therefore going to be even longer than the 12 months before, before the pandemic hit in January.

Ball continues to recover from the long-term effects of his injury, with a tentative return to action expected in July.

The 30-year-old began his conversation with proboxing-fans.com by reflecting on that breakthrough fight with Shannon Courtenay last August.

“It was a great fight. It’s a shame that the knockdown didn’t come later in the fight, because where I had success with the hook in the first round, I kept going for that punch. If the knockdown had happened later in the round, I think I could have made it a little easier for myself by sticking to my original game plan.

“Honestly, it kind of surprised me because it was just a good moment, and then she went on the canvas and in my head I was like, ‘Shit, I did it.'”

Ball put up a tranquil fight that night, and she noted that she felt as if “that’s what happened [her] time” and I even said it in the mirror before the fight.

The event was part of Matchroom Boxing’s ‘Fight Camp’ series and was Ball’s first experience in the bubble: an experience she simply couldn’t get enough of.

“It was absolutely fantastic, to be truthful, everyone seemed very swift when they were in the bubble, but I was soaking it all in and taking photos. My weight wasn’t an issue so I didn’t really have to diet and I always think that’s a key factor in enjoying the last week of camp.

“I loved being so close to everyone and just being able to meet so many different people. David [Diamante] It was particularly nice to meet and talk to him: he is always very relaxed, really laid-back and strangely withdrawn, but there is so much going on in his life and it is fascinating to talk to him.”

The interim WBC champion had to come to terms with the fact that she would no longer be fighting on April 10 and had plenty of time to reflect on her professional career to date.

I reminded Rachel that I first saw her box on the card of the Tommy Langford v Jason Welborn match in May 2018 at Walsall Town Hall.

The only reason Rachel took home any money that night was because she placed a bet on Jason to win the main event, and he won a split decision. Rachel was unable to sell enough tickets for the four-round event, and therefore did not receive a purse.

Perhaps more than anyone else, the 30-year-old understands how much women’s boxing has changed in such a low space of time.

“The situation has changed enormously.

“When I turned professional, there weren’t even half the fighters there are now. It really wasn’t basic to build a career because there were just no other options – and that’s why I had to go to Norway for the fight – but more and more women are starting to see professional boxing as a reality.

Ball hopes to return to fighting in July, but remains cautious about whether that is a realistic possibility.

Looking back on her career, she admitted that she “never took anything for granted” and is grateful to her manager and promoter Errol Johnson for his long involvement in women’s boxing.

The next step will be Shannon Courtenay vs Ebanie Bridges for the full WBA title – and an additional ‘anti-bullying bracelet’ in the event of the Courtenay fight – but a return to Walsall remains quite high on the list.

“I never thought I’d get these opportunities, so I’m glad I got into the miniature venue scene because it makes me appreciate everything so much more.

“If I was fit and vigorous, I would jump at the chance to fight at Walsall Town Hall again in front of a packed house: it’s difficult to beat that atmosphere and intensity.”

Chris Eubank Jr claims his former rival Billy Joe Saunders has not improved and expects to be stopped against Canelo Alvarez.

WBO super middleweight champion Saunders will face Canelo, the great and unified WBA “Super”, WBC and Ring Magazine champion, on May 8 at AT&T Stadium in Texas.

Saunders fought a dramatic British, Commonwealth and European middleweight title fight against Eubank Jr in 2014, winning by split decision, and has remained undefeated since then, securing world titles in two weight classes.

‘Next GEN’, who returns to the ring a week earlier for his match against Marcus Morrison under recent trainer Roy Jones Jr has played down the 31-year-old southpaw’s chances of pulling off a stunning upset against the Mexican but believes he is capable of inflicting what would be the first defeat on Alvarez since his 2013 defeat to Floyd Mayweather Jr if the pair meet in the future.

“I don’t feel like Saunders has improved since he last fought me” Eubank Jr told talkSPORT.

“I think it’s the same guy. I’m a lot higher level than when I first stepped into the ring with Saunders.

“I feel like he’s the same guy who can’t beat someone like Canelo.

“Someone to be successful against Canelo has to have a completely different mindset and a completely different approach than the average boxer.

“I don’t think Saunders has what it takes. I have what it takes, I know how to beat Canelo.

The couple was supposed to meet in May 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic interrupted those plans. Alvarez, meanwhile, scored two wins over former champion Callum Smith on points in December before stopping mandatory challenger Avni Yildirim in the third round in February.

Eubank Jr believes Saunders, who defeated Martin Murray inside the distance in November, will become Alvarez’s 38th knockout victim and is willing to place a significant bet on that outcome.

“I’m sure I’ll get my chance in the next few years. But this is a very bad fight for Saunders and if it happens, he’ll get knocked out.

“Saunders will be injured. I’m going to put £10,000 on Canelo knocking out Saunders.

“I think that’s what’s going to happen; I think Saunders is going to get knocked out.”

Claressa Shields’ promoter Dmitry Salita says a potential fight with Savannah Marshall could be a defining moment in women’s boxing and says the fight could get even more intense.

Former amateur rivals Shields (11-0, 2 KO) and Marshall (10-0, 8 KO) are on a collision course, with the latter saying she will open to meeting an Americanwhich she defeated in the amateur category after stopping Maria Lindberg in three rounds to defend the WBO middleweight title, a belt vacated by three-weight champion Shields.

Marshall’s promoter Eddie Hearn suggested after the fight that he would consider the idea of ​​placing the undefeated pair on the same card before their meeting, and Salita echoed this sentiment, believing that Marshall needed to build up his image more in the US to ensure the showdown reaches its maximum reach.

“It’s great to see a mega fight in women’s boxing and that people are excited about it,” Salita said proboxing-fans.com.

“Savannah Marshall is much more popular in the UK than in the US.

“Only die-hard boxing fans know about Savannah, but she certainly showed good skill and good strength in her fight on Saturday. It’s great to see the hype and it’s great to see that we can have another large fight for Claressa in the future, hopefully in the near future.

🗣 “I HIT TOO HARD FOR CLARESSA’S SHIELDS”

👀 @Savmarshall1 sends shots to @Claressashields after she defended her WBO middleweight world title today! 👑#Box #MarshallLindberg pic.twitter.com/7SXSTOI1SI

— Professional boxing fans (@ProBoxingFans) April 10, 2021

“It might happen later.

“Savannah is a good fighter. Not enough people in the United States know who she is yet, but I think this fight really has superfight potential.

“I don’t think it’s as large as it could be yet, it might just need a bit of sprinkling.

“I think it will be great for Savannah to fight in the United States and get some of the publicity that will bring, and certainly her history with Claressa will only serve to build the fight and make it the biggest fight it can possibly be.”

Shields made history in March by becoming the first fighter or woman to become an undisputed champion in two weight classes when she defeated Marie Eve-Dicaire by unanimous decision to win all of the 154-pound world titles on pay-per-view.

Marshall will persevere in our fight, just like everyone else. But she will take a grave hit and if the KO comes, I will get it! https://t.co/7DARUplvfq

— Claressa Gwoat Shields (@Claressashields) April 12, 2021

“GWOAT” Set to Make MMA Debut on June 10 entry into the Professional Fighters League (PFL) and Salita says that while the 26-year-old would be willing to travel to the UK to face Marshall, it could attract a huge US audience.

“We will be prepared to come to the UK,” Salita added.

“Claressa and I have talked about it, but I think the right place to put this fight is in the United States right now because Claressa is the name of women’s boxing, she brings more to the table and the gate here would be huge when things open up.

“Klaressa is very popular in goal. Not many players, even great players, are that popular in goal, but Claressa is one of them and I think it would add incredible spice and energy to have both of these ladies as the main event and with thousands of fans cheering them on, I think that would be very special.

“In terms of capturing the fans’ imagination and making sure they tune in, I think this is the biggest fight in women’s boxing.

“This is probably the fight that will take women’s boxing to another level.”

Watch the full interview with promoter Dmitry Salita below, discussing the scope of the Claressa Shields vs. Savannah Marshall fight and when it might take place: