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[Diamante] It was particularly nice to meet and talk to him: he is always very relaxed, really laid-back and strangely withdrawn, but there is so much going on in his life and it is fascinating to talk to him.”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.”
Eddie Hearn believes Tyson Fury will retire after a legacy-defining clash with Anthony Joshua.
Fury stunned the boxing world on Monday when he announced his retirement from the sport, leaving behind a megafight with Joshua.
The “Gypsy King” announced his shocking decision less than a month after suffering, among other things, second defeat in a row against Oleksandr Usyk in Riyad, but Joshua’s promoter, Hearn, is convinced that the fighter from Morecambe will return to the ring to fight the long-awaited showdown with “AJ”, who is returning after a fifth-round defeat to Daniel Dubois.
“In my opinion, I think he will come back,” the 45-year-old said talkSPORT.
“But I don’t know him well enough to judge that.
“He’s coming back after two defeats, and these defeats hurt the boys.
“AJ was devastated by the defeat to Dubois and I’m sure Fury was too [with his defeats to Usyk]both are winners.
“I don’t know if Fury can leave one of the biggest fights in the history of the sport on the table.
“I know he’s a competitor. I know he will want to give the British fight fans what they want and I hope we see more of him.
“But if we don’t, God bless the speed and all the best.”
Fury hung up his gloves after defeating Dillian Whyte in April 2022, only to return eight months later for a third fight with Derek Chisora, whom he defeated comfortably at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Hearn said Joshua will now look to secure a clash with the winner of the February 22 fight between his former rivals Dubois and Joseph Parker, who will fight in Riyad for the IBF heavyweight world title.
If Fury returns to fight AJ, the Matchroom boss insists the loser would have nowhere to go.
“They would both be devastated by defeat,” he added.
“It’s one thing to lose the world heavyweight title, but at the same time losing in a fight of this magnitude is the biggest bragging rights.
“At this stage of their career, the last word is goodbye.
“Whoever loses this fight is finished and whoever wins it moves on and that’s what you fight for.
“You’re not just fighting for a legacy, you’re fighting to save your career.
“It’s a huge fight, but it’s not on the table right now.”
Callum Simpson defended his British and Commonwealth super middleweight titles after a second-round victory over Steer Woodall on Saturday at the Park Community Arena in Sheffield.
Simpson (16-0, 11 KO) proved too good for Zak Chelli in his last competition and went on to sweep wide and claim the British and Commonwealth titles last August. Woodall (19-3-1, 12 KO) picked up his best career win, stopping Lerrone Richards in six rounds in an upset in Bolton last June.
This attack ended quickly in the second round, with a right uppercut that left Woodall on wobbly legs, and then another attack punctuated by another right uppercut, leaving “The Stallion” on the deck.
Despite beating the count, referee Mark Bates waved off the fight shortly afterwards.
Simpson dedicated his victory his dead sisterwho died tragically in August in a road accident.
“It’s bittersweet,” the 28-year-old said Heavenly sports after the fight.
“I won these titles in front of all my fans, but there’s one person that I think everyone knows who I wish was here, but I know she’s looking down on me and I make her proud.”
Dubois is tied with Camara
On the card below, Caroline Dubois (10-0-1, 5 KO) made her first defense of her WBC lightweight title against Canadian Jessica Camara (14-4-1, 3 KO), but the fight ended in a technical draw.
The fight was stopped due to a cut to Camara’s left eye from the head collision, and she also went down in the first round.
Forrest stops Miller
Cruiserweight prospect Scott Forrest needed just two rounds to defeat Deevorn Miller.
Miller (8-3, 6 KO) lost once in the first and second rounds, while Forrest (7-0, 4 KO) won outright.
Undercard remaining
In the featherlight heavyweight division, where Billy Deniz defeated Mickey Ellison (15-8, 5 KO) by one point.
Deniz (13-0, 5 KO) won with a score of 77-76.
In the six-round middleweight division, Sam Hickey (2-0, 1 KO) stopped Lewis Howells (3-2) three times en route to a first-round victory, and Mauro Silva (7-0, 3 KO) scored a 59-56 victory against Emmanuel Zion (6-3, 3 KOs).
Ellis Price (2-0, 1 KO) stopped Liam Fitzmaurice (0-1) twice en route to a first-round lightweight victory.
Lauren Price believes Natasha Jonas was pressured into fighting her ahead of their March 7 unification clash.
Price will put his WBA and IBO welterweight titles on the line when he faces IBF and WBC champion Jonas live at the Royal Albert Hall. Heavenly sports.
Jonas’ coach, Joe Gallagher, has said he would prefer to see the 40-year-old retire, and Price, who won Olympic gold in 2021, is doubtful whether her rival wants to face her.
“I don’t think either of them wanted this fight,” the 30-year-old said proboxing-fans.com.
“But like I said, she has two belts, I have three and it’s just a great fight.
“The fight is signed, sealed and announced, so on March 7 we will see who will be the best.
“If you look at my amateur record, Olympic gold medalist, I haven’t lost a single round as a professional.
“The performance I am up against [Jessica] McCaskill in Cardiff against the legitimate world champion, the proof is in the pudding.
“I’ve got it. I’m in my youth.
“She’s coming to the end of my career and I don’t blame her, but in the end she has something that I want and that’s really it, there’s nothing personal.”
Jonas secured the WBC crown with a unanimous decision victory over then-champion Ivana Habazin in December in Liverpool, moments after Price defeated Bexcy Mateus in three rounds on the same bill.
The pair then clashed during a heated post-fight interview to confirm their upcoming match.
The Welshwoman believes that her youth, speed and dominance in the ring will allow her to defeat the experienced Liverpool resident on Friday in eight weeks.
Asked what her advantage was over Jonah, Price added: “Probably my youth.
“Reading the fight, my ring IQ, my speed.
“The little feints, the triggers I do, people reading me.
“Everyone says they will do it, they will do it until I stand in front of them, so we will see on March 7.
“But overall I think I’m just better and I believe I’ll win.”
Watch the full interview with Lauren Price:
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