Jamie Ball Press release
Posted: 20 Jan 2012, 14:33
Ball to face Al Harbi in Midlands derby
1:50pm Thursday 19th January 2012 in
JAMIE Ball says he will have to be at his best to beat Nasser Al Harbi when the duo clash in a West Midlands derby.
Dudley’s Ball and Birmingham’s Al Harbi are poised to put their unbeaten records on the line after being paired in an English light-middleweight title eliminator.
Promoter Dave Coldwell last week won the purse bids to stage the fight, which is scheduled to take place at Birmingham’s New Bingley Hall on March 16.
The clash has given Midlands champion Ball renewed focus after the frustration of narrowly missing out on a British title shot with Brian Rose.
And the 27-year-old believes both he and Al Harbi deserve credit for agreeing to meet in a non-title fight.
He said: “It’s going to be a tough fight. He is a good, sharp boxer and I am going to need to be at my best to beat him.
“It’s a 50-50 fight and I think you have to give us both credit for putting our unbeaten records on the line in a fight which is only an eliminator.
“One of the reasons I took the fight is I don’t want to be hanging around wondering what might happen. This fight gives me something to focus on and if I win I will have taken down another prospect.
“I’ve been back in gym for a couple of weeks now and from today I will be stepping things up.”
Like Ball, Al Harbi has 13 wins on his professional record but has just one stoppage compared to the Dudley man’s four.
The winner of the fight should theoretically be next in line to face whoever wins the English title clash between Erick Ochieng and Nick Quigley, due to take place later this month.
Ball is also looking to feature on a televised show at some stage this year, after his lack of profile was the key reason for Sky Sports rejecting the proposed scrap with Rose.
He believes appearing on a Coldwell-promoted show could help.
The Sheffield-based promoter seems determined to make inroads into the Birmingham market and has a rapidly growing profile, having last week won the purse bid for the British light-heavyweight title showdown between Tony Bellew and Danny Mcintosh.
Ball said: “He is putting some good shows on with a lot of 50-50 fights, which is what people want to see.
“If I can impress on one of his shows then it can only be a good thing.
“I’m convinced Ochieng and Quigley got the chance at the English title because they have featured on television and that is something I have to work on.”
Dudley and Stourbridge news
1:50pm Thursday 19th January 2012 in
JAMIE Ball says he will have to be at his best to beat Nasser Al Harbi when the duo clash in a West Midlands derby.
Dudley’s Ball and Birmingham’s Al Harbi are poised to put their unbeaten records on the line after being paired in an English light-middleweight title eliminator.
Promoter Dave Coldwell last week won the purse bids to stage the fight, which is scheduled to take place at Birmingham’s New Bingley Hall on March 16.
The clash has given Midlands champion Ball renewed focus after the frustration of narrowly missing out on a British title shot with Brian Rose.
And the 27-year-old believes both he and Al Harbi deserve credit for agreeing to meet in a non-title fight.
He said: “It’s going to be a tough fight. He is a good, sharp boxer and I am going to need to be at my best to beat him.
“It’s a 50-50 fight and I think you have to give us both credit for putting our unbeaten records on the line in a fight which is only an eliminator.
“One of the reasons I took the fight is I don’t want to be hanging around wondering what might happen. This fight gives me something to focus on and if I win I will have taken down another prospect.
“I’ve been back in gym for a couple of weeks now and from today I will be stepping things up.”
Like Ball, Al Harbi has 13 wins on his professional record but has just one stoppage compared to the Dudley man’s four.
The winner of the fight should theoretically be next in line to face whoever wins the English title clash between Erick Ochieng and Nick Quigley, due to take place later this month.
Ball is also looking to feature on a televised show at some stage this year, after his lack of profile was the key reason for Sky Sports rejecting the proposed scrap with Rose.
He believes appearing on a Coldwell-promoted show could help.
The Sheffield-based promoter seems determined to make inroads into the Birmingham market and has a rapidly growing profile, having last week won the purse bid for the British light-heavyweight title showdown between Tony Bellew and Danny Mcintosh.
Ball said: “He is putting some good shows on with a lot of 50-50 fights, which is what people want to see.
“If I can impress on one of his shows then it can only be a good thing.
“I’m convinced Ochieng and Quigley got the chance at the English title because they have featured on television and that is something I have to work on.”
Dudley and Stourbridge news