Nick Ball vs TJ Doheny Preview
TJ Doheny will challenge Nick Ball for his WBC featherweight title at the Echo Arena, Liverpool on March 15th at 10:00 pm. It will be the first time Doheny has fought in mainland Britain in his career and his first bout outside of Japan in two years.
Ball thrillingly won his first world title last June. He returned to Liverpool as the hometown hero in his first defence and now looks to match that performance in his second. Can one of the best Irish boxers play spoiler on enemy territory or will Ball continue his upward trajectory?
Nick Ball vs TJ Doheny Predictions
Fight Prediction: Nick Ball to win via decision
No fighter quite embodies the term ‘Road Warrior’ like TJ Doheny. The Power has made a career of fighting in his opponent’s backyard and beating them more often than not. Doheny has fought in Ireland just once in his career. However, he couldn’t get the job done when knocked out against Naoya Inoue last time in a battle for the super bantamweight belts. Never one to take the easiest road, Doheny has thrown himself straight back into the deep end by accepting a fight with undefeated British prospect Nick Ball.
Nick Ball’s rise to world champion status has been excellent to watch. The 28-year-old defeated Raymond Ford in June 2024 in a thrilling split decision victory to earn the WBA featherweight title. Ball has established himself as one of the most exciting fighters in his weight class and one of the most exciting coming out of the UK. The Scouser has raised his game in the last 18 months and is more than ready for this level of competition. Our boxing prediction is for Ball to retain his title against Doheny on Saturday.
Nick Ball is a fighter who thrives on pressure. His relentless aggression and powerful shots have helped him build a reputation as a dangerous opponent, capable of ending a fight in an instant. He will close the distance quickly in this fight and land heavy punches. The champion wastes no time and will be dangerous from the first bell. Ball will overwhelm Doheny with his explosiveness, power, and volume.
The champion’s ability to hit the ground running is the key to this fight. He will establish his power early and keep Doheny on the back foot. His energy will be too much for the Power. A fast start, with his ability to float in and out of the pocket, will stun Doheny. If Ball can land clean, powerful shots, it could be a short night at the Echo Arena.
However, Ball must not be reckless. Doheny has plenty of power of his own, which is why he is so popular in Japan. He can deliver knockouts, with 20 in his 26 victories. The odds probably do Doheny a disservice here. There is no doubt that Ball is the fresher and more energetic fighter, and a deserved favourite, but Doheny is more than just a veteran. If Doheny can survive the early storm, his technical skills will shine through.
Nick Ball is coming into this fight off of what may have been a career-best performance. His energy and volume will ultimately be too much for Doheny. The Irishman should have enough technique to avoid a knockout, having fought and survived against heavier hitters. However, in a war of attrition, the younger fighter should come out on top to claim the victory. This is certainly not an opponent Ball should take lightly and it would not be the first time Doheny has caused an upset in enemy territory. However, Ball looks destined for even bigger things. Who knows, he could be amongst the best boxers of all time when he finally hangs up the gloves.
Nick Ball vs TJ Doheny Fight Outcome
Ball will lead proceedings here and put Doheny on the backfoot early in the rounds. Doheny has the size advantage but Ball’s ability to float in and out of the pocket and land with speed and power is excellent. That is the key to this fight. The champion will be fresher and use that energy to keep Doheny on the back foot from the first bell.
From there, opportunities to end the fight may open. However, Ball must be careful not to get reckless against a fighter with the power and experience that Doheny boasts. The challenger has the technique to work his way around Ball and will pounce on any mistakes from the Brit. His knockout rate is stronger and he has shown in previous fights that he can turn things on their head with one punch.
Nick Ball vs TJ Doheny Betting Tips
Nick Ball is an overwhelming favourite for this fight on our sports betting site. You can back the local lad with odds worth 1/20. A €10 bet would return just €0.50. The Brit is undefeated in his career and has already fought tougher opponents, including the man he won his title from in June 2024.
While we are predicting a win for Ball, there is better value in betting on TJ Doheny if you are betting on the fight result. He is worth 13/2. The Power has built his career on going into enemy territory and leaving with a victory. He is up against it again here. Doheny is more than just a perennial underdog. It would not be much of a shock to see him outfight his odds in Liverpool.
Method of Victory
Nick Ball has power behind his punches, and Doheny enters this fight after a devastating body-strike knockout. However, the Japanese fighter is exceptionally powerful, and that was the first time Doheny had been finished in his 31 career fights. We like a bet on Ball to win via decision, worth 7/4.
Grouped Round Betting
However, it is worth noting Ball’s previous fight ended in a TKO in favour of the Englishman. That was probably a career-best performance for the champion. He will take that confidence and the power behind his punches into this fight. If you think Ball can finish Doheny, bet on the champ to win via KO/TKO in rounds 7-12, worth 6/4 for anyone betting on boxing.
Over/Under
The over/under is 9.5 rounds for this fight. All of Ball’s five previous bouts have hit the over on that mark and we are expecting the same at the Echo Arena. Bet on this fight to go over 9.5 rounds, worth 17/20.
Nick Ball vs TJ Doheny Head-To-Head and Key Stats
Nick Ball is an undefeated British featherweight boxer, known for his aggressive, pressure-fighting style and knockout power. Turning professional in 2016, Ball quickly gained attention with his relentless offence and ability to finish fights early. His record of 21-0-1 (12 KO) highlights his dangerous punching power and ability to overwhelm opponents.
Ball’s career took off after a series of impressive victories, leading him to a WBC silver featherweight title in 2022. He showcased a remarkable ability to throw powerful punches in combination, making him one of the most dangerous young fighters in the division.
He rose through the ranks to claim his first world title in 2024 on a high-profile card in Saudi Arabia. Ball completed his first title defence in October last year when he knocked out Ronny Rios in the tenth round in a dominant performance. The British fighter is known for his high-pressure style. He likes to push his opponents to the ropes and unleash combinations to break them down. While he can be reckless at times, his physicality and force make him formidable in the ring. As he continues to develop his skills, former world champion Tony Bellew has hailed him as ‘the most exciting in Britain’.
TJ Doheny is an experienced Irish professional boxer known for his technical skill and composed approach in the ring. Doheny made his professional debut in 2009 and quickly rose through the ranks, with his career gaining significant attention after he won the IBF super bantamweight title in 2018. After earning a unanimous decision victory he claimed the title in a dominant performance against Japanese boxer Ryosuke Iwasa.
Doheny’s key strengths are his ring IQ, footwork, and counter-punching ability, which he uses to outsmart his opponents. A fearless fighter, Doheny often fights on enemy territory with most of his fights coming in the US, Japan and Australia. He has only fought in Ireland once in his career. Standing at 5’5” with a 68.5” reach, Doheny will have the size advantage in this fight.
With a record of 26-5 (20 by knockout), Doheny is known for his durability, composure under pressure, and precise punching. As a veteran of the sport, Doheny’s experience and boxing intelligence make him a tough challenge for anyone in his weight class. He remains a significant figure in the division and continues to compete for world title opportunities.
