Interviews
EXCLUSIVE: Rachel Ball – Beating Courtenay, Covid and then Bridges?
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[Diamante] It was particularly nice to meet and talk to him: he is always very relaxed, really laid-back and strangely withdrawn, but there is so much going on in his life and it is fascinating to talk to him.”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.”
Natasha Jonas unified the welterweight division by defeating Ivana Habazin by clear points on Saturday to add the WBC title to her IBF crown at the Exhibition Center in Liverpool.
Jonas (16-2-1, 9 KO) was last seen defending her title in January in a hard-fought split decision over Mikaela Mayer, while Habazin (23-6, 7 KO) won the vacant WBC welterweight title in her home country. time out, winning by wide points over Kinga Magyar.
After a technical opening round, Jonas settled into a steady rhythm before landing a powerful right hand in the fourth round that crushed Habazin.
There was a rivalry, but the home favorite was much better in the rallies and seemed to be losing round after round.
This situation lasted until the final bell, when Jonas became the winner by scores of 100-90, 99-91 and 99-92.
Price is closing in on Jonas’ match
Lauren Price definitely stayed on as a collision course with Jonas and easily defended her WBA and IBO welterweight titles after a third-round fight against Bexcy Mateus.
Mateus (7-1, 6 KO) was on board in the first round, after the Welshman landed a powerful left hand, and the Colombian struggled to match Price’s speed.
The same shot caused the 29-year-old to repeat the punch in the second round, and the round later ended when another stinging left hand stunned Meteus and she fell to the canvas, after which the fight was stopped.
Price (8-0, 2 KO) has agreed to face Jonas next, and promoter Ben Shalom revealed it could be announced next week.
Knife edge passes McKenna
Lee Cutler scored an upset victory to claim the silver WBC International welterweight title after winning a majority decision against Stephen McKenna.
McKenna (15-1, 14 KO) was eliminated in the first round, his knee touching the canvas after being tagged, and Cutler (15-1, 7 KO) took full advantage of his opponent’s weakness in the seventh round when his right hand plunged into his knee. The Irishman who ultimately fell once again.
McKenna was relentless in his attacks and landed a huge number of punches.
The balance of 94-94 was surpassed by the scores of 95-93 and 96-92, which ensured the victory for Cutler.
Jeffers stopped Quartey
Mark Jeffers is on track for large fights in 2025 after defeating Joshua Quartey to defend his silver Commonwealth super middleweight title.
A pair of right hands put Quartey (10-1, 9 KO) on the board, and although he broke the count, a well-placed body shot after the restart by Jeffers (19-0, 6 KO) blew the guy away again.
A crazy attack after the restart forced a stoppage.
Riley secures Chamberlain’s face-off with a stoppage
Viddal Riley finished the heavyweight fight and stopped Dan Garber in the second of the scheduled six rounds.
Riley (12-0, 7 KO) hit Garber (7-4, 2 KO) with his right hand, and then his next attack forced the referee’s intervention.
Riley’s next match will be against Isaac Chamberlain on February 1.
Undercard remaining
Mason Cartwright (21-4-1, 8 KO) won all six rounds at super welterweight against Dzmitry Atrokhau (16-25, 7 KO), and Hope lightweight Frankie Stringer (9-0, 1 KO) did the same in the fight against Tatenda Mangombe (3-9-1).
In the flyweight division, Mikie Tallon (6-0) defeated Benn Norman (7-7) with a body shot in the first round of the match, and then settled for a 59-54 victory.
The only fighter to fight four rounds in the super featherweight division was Mason Devine (6-0, 1 KO), who won every session against Jayo Fernando Duran (15-34-1, 14 KO).
Dillian Whyte has revealed his predictions for the hotly anticipated rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury on December 21.
Fury, who knocked out Whyte at Wembley Stadium in 2022, will seek revenge for the only defeat of his career in just 11 days, after losing to Usyk by split decision earlier this year.
Despite losing the night, “The Gypsy King” was a major success and many are struggling to pick a winner in his second battle against the imperious Ukrainian.
Some experts believe Fury needs to be more aggressive and take the lead if he is to win.
I’m talking to Social boxingWhyte revealed he shared that view, asking the Morecambe man to return to the game plan that saw him destroy Deontay Wilder in the return leg.
“It’s a great fight, man, I’m still trying to think – how will this fight go?
“Okay, Fury can make changes, but Usyk can make changes too. It’s a tough fight, a very, very tough fight for both fighters.
“If I were Fury’s coach, I would tell him he has to play aggressively.
“Fight him like you fought Wilder the second time.
“Bring back the aggression, bring back the tyrant!
“This is heavyweight boxing – you never know.”
It is unclear whether Fury will heed the advice of Whyte and others in the boxing world who have advised him to take the fight to Usyk, but looks noticeably heavier than before the first fight.
What are the changes? ❌@Tyson_Fury says he will exploit exactly the same game plan as the first time when he faces Oleksandr Usyk at the end of the month.
Thinks? 🧐 pic.twitter.com/VtpEwLJkWx
— Professional boxing fans (@ProBoxingFans) December 6, 2024
Win or lose, the 36-year-old could face a long-awaited home fight against Anthony Joshua, even though “A.J.” interrupted defeat against Daniel Dubois in September.
While it may not have been as great a spectacle as it once was, a clash between Joshua and Fury would still be by far the biggest all-British fight in recent memory.
As for Whyte, he returns to the ring next Sunday night and will face Ghanaian heavyweight Ebenezer Tetteh live on DAZN in Gibraltar.
The All-American fight between lightweight world champions Gervonta Davis and Shakur Stevenson is one of the most anticipated fights in all of boxing.
Both Davis and Stevenson are undefeated multi-weight champions and are staples on any respected pound-for-pound list.
With this in mind, you could be forgiven for assuming that the pair locking corners in their prime years is a given, but that doesn’t seem likely to happen in the near future.
“Tank” spoke to the media at the press conference inaugurating his performance March 1 fight with Lamont Roach, and when the prospect of fighting Stevenson arose, he didn’t seem particularly interested.
The Baltimore hitter even went so far as to question what his compatriot did to deserve him.
“What for? Who has Shakur [beat]? What did Shakur do?
“What has he achieved in sports? He didn’t do anything! Juvenile people look better than him!”
“Keyshawn [Davis] you look so much better than that nigga! Shout it out nigga, he ain’t done nothing!
I asked Gervonta about a possible fight with Shakur… #Box #TankRoach pic.twitter.com/T1eNFJ9iIO
— Dwa O Dwa Z.. (@Noo_Barzz) December 3, 2024
“Why the hell are you saying his name?”
Like Davis, Stevenson will also return to action in the first quarter of next year, fighting against up-and-comer Floyd Schofield on the February 22 Riyad season card.
The Newark southpaw has been sidelined since his July decision victory over Artem Harutyunyan after he had to withdraw from a proposed October fight with Joe Cordina due to injury.
Saudi boxing boss Turki Alalshikh has expressed his willingness to have a fight between the two virtuosos, provided both are successful in their upcoming fights.
‼️ His Excellency Turki Alalshikh stated that he wants the Gervonta Davis vs Shakur Stevenson fight: “My plan for Shakur is this fight [vs Floyd Schofield]then William Zepeda, and then let’s see if Tank wants to come on our show.” [@DAZNBoxing] pic.twitter.com/Mmi6hO7Fjo
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBenson) December 3, 2024
While he undoubtedly has the talent to rival Davis, Stevenson is not as commercial a star as his rival, and some critics believe he needs to start giving more entertaining performances if he wants to get substantial names.
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