BoxRec

Ford And Ball To Clash On ‘5 vs. 5’ Show

Rumours regarding the fights which would make up the eagerly-awaited Queensberry vs. Matchroom '5 vs. 5’ card have swirled around since the idea was first broached back in January but a featherweight clash between Ray Ford and Nick Ball has been a constant on every list of predicted clashes.

Today, the news was confirmed. On June 1 in Saudi Arabia, Matchroom’s WBA champion, Ford, will make the first defence of his title against Ball, who is a long-time member of Queensberry’s stable.

In March, Ford, 15-0-1 (8 KOs), produced a sensational final-round assault to take Otabek Kholmatov’s unbeaten record and win his first world title in spectacular fashion. There were just seven seconds remaining in the fight when ‘The Savage’ found the shots to earn a dramatic late victory. The New Jersey native was trailing on the scorecards at the time of the stoppage.

Just six days after Ford’s heroics, Ball, 19-0-1 (11 KOs), put together a late rally of his own during his WBC title fight with Rey Vargas. After a tricky start, the 27-year-old Liverpudlian smartly ratcheted up the aggression, floored Vargas twice and bullied the veteran Mexican over the second half of their fight, but had to settle for a disappointing and controversial draw.

Less than three months later, the two will meet in an outstanding 126lb contest.

Ford – who has been promoted by Matchroom since the very start of his career – had hoped that Ball would beat Vargas and that the pair would be fighting to unify the featherweight division. Reports did briefly circulate that the 25-year-old had decided to move in a different direction but the opportunity to take part in such a big show proved impossible to resist.

“5-0,” said Ford who kept it short and sweet at Monday’s press conference. “I’m going for the knockout.”

Ford may be a southpaw but Ball has spent years working with the likes of Peter McGrail and Andrew Cain at the Everton Red Triangle gym in Liverpool and although the 5ft 2in tall scouser will give away his customary few inches in height and reach, Ford’s style and stature may present him with a more straightforward puzzle to solve than the tall, awkward Vargas.

“I’m always confident,” Ball said. “It’s another massive opportunity for me. I’m looking forward to the fight.”

Nice that Ball gets another world title opportunity.

Shame no rematch with Vargas.

This should be another good one.

Good luck to Ball. Really skilled fighter and clearly has a dig too.

Much harder fight than Vargas for Ball, but he’s still young and will have learned absolutely loads from his first title shot. Says it all that Vargas didn’t want the rematch. It’s still WAR BALL. I’ve picked him every fight so far on here and been right every time, why give up on the lil Scouse wrecking ball now?

Ball on points in absolute grueller. I can see 7 shades of shite getting knocked out of both of these

Excellent to see Ball getting another shot so soon. And credit to Ford for taking the fight. This whole thing feels very unmodern - what is happening?

I think this will be very watchable. Big fan of Ball. Really hope he does it.

olij999 wrote: ↑16 Apr 2024, 12:14 Excellent to see Ball getting another shot so soon. And credit to Ford for taking the fight. This whole thing feels very unmodern - what is happening?

Very true potential fight of the night this, should be a cracker.

Fair play to Ford. He really struggles at the weight so he must be getting a pretty penny for this.

I hope Ball does the business but I also like Ford. Hope he does well up at 130 or 135.

ford says he will rehydate and come to the ring at 160 for this, a 126 pound title fight

taking the piss, or do guys really add that much weight these days

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑17 May 2024, 10:58 ford says he will rehydate and come to the ring at 160 for this, a 126 pound title fight

taking the piss, or do guys really add that much weight these days

I reckon 10 lbs is the most you can dehydrate, more likely half that

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑17 May 2024, 10:58 ford says he will rehydate and come to the ring at 160 for this, a 126 pound title fight

taking the piss, or do guys really add that much weight these days

That's gaining 27% of his entire bodyweight overnight! That's surely impossible without absolutely hammering performance.

Even Gatti's legendarily dodgy 22-pound overnight weight gain against Joey Gamache was about half that, 15% (maybe less as there was apparently shenanigans at the weigh in).

What time is this fight on?

pat123 wrote: ↑18 May 2024, 08:23 What time is this fight on?

June pal

Hah thought it was tonight!

Coco wrote: ↑17 May 2024, 11:31

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑17 May 2024, 10:58 ford says he will rehydate and come to the ring at 160 for this, a 126 pound title fight

taking the piss, or do guys really add that much weight these days

I reckon 10 lbs is the most you can dehydrate, more likely half that

Sklar/macho Jimmy did an experiment with open source material off the net


IIRC he managed to drain, over about 4 weeks, enough that he could put over 20lbs back on in the 24hrs after a weigh in

The technique revolves around regulating sodium as well as fluid IIRC

But from what the mma blokes manage, draining and putting back on 25lbs after weigh in is easily doable for someone 150lbs plus,

I think huge drains like that are almost the rule in mma, they go harder at it than boxing but there have always been fighters who put a lot back on

When Cotto fought at 140 I’m sure he was very nearly 160 when HBO weighed him before the fight.

"big and strong" at the weight

Fight Week!!

people sleeping on this one?

It’s a great fight, I’ve seen Ford, but I can’t remember much about him, all these fractured titles make you lose interest sometimes, but I know he’s a high-level operator. I think Ball hits exceptionally hard, and I’m fancying him to get the respect of this guy, enough to pound out a decision win.

Also, a lot of people thought Ball deserved the decision last time out, was unlucky, so the judges might slightly favour him in the close rounds, much as they did with Taylor cat for the same reasons .

press conference is on now

Looking forward to this, in fact Ball has become one of my favourite fighters. And I think he can do this on points.

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑19 May 2024, 03:05 "big and strong" at the weight

Rubbish isn't it. Although sounds better than "is mental and has superb rehydration"

Flump wrote: ↑31 May 2024, 08:59 Looking forward to this, in fact Ball has become one of my favourite fighters. And I think he can do this on points.

he made a fan of me with that last performance, great skills

dookus wrote: ↑31 May 2024, 10:40

Flump wrote: ↑31 May 2024, 08:59 Looking forward to this, in fact Ball has become one of my favourite fighters. And I think he can do this on points.

he made a fan of me with that last performance, great skills

me too love his tenacity throughout the fight especially as a smaller opponent.

Fight Night!!