Nick Ball Retains WBA Featherweight Title
In a spirited showdown in Riyadh, Nick Ball retained his WBA featherweight title with a commanding performance against Sam Goodman. Throughout the bout, Ball consistently demonstrated agility and initiative, applying pressure on his opponent while unleashing a flurry of strikes.
Goodman employed gunnery tactics, using nimble footwork and a structured strategy to navigate the early rounds, effectively evading numerous exchanges and maintaining composure in the ring.
Turning Point in the Fight
It wasn’t until the fourth round that Ball began to unravel Goodman’s defensive tactics, gradually establishing dominance by closing the distance and improving his effectiveness. As the rounds progressed, Ball’s productivity and targeting became increasingly impactful, allowing him to secure a majority of the later rounds.
Goodman remained tenacious, continually striving to disrupt Ball’s rhythm; however, the champion’s volume of punches and precision ensured that the scorecards showcased a clear lead for Ball, particularly in the second half of the match. Had Ball not adjusted his strategy mid-fight, the outcome may have been significantly tighter.
Ultimately, the judges scored the bout as follows: two with scores of 118-110 and 117-111, while a third judge issued a score of 115-113, indicating a unanimous decision that solidifies Ball’s status as one of Britain’s most formidable champions.
Other Notable Matches
In another notable match, Filip Hrgovic triumphed over David Adeleye by decision, which was particularly memorable for a thrilling eighth round. After sending Adeleye to the canvas with a powerful right hand, Hrgovic was briefly rattled as Adeleye retaliated with a fierce barrage, showcasing the unpredictability of boxing. The judges tallied the bout at 99-90, 99-90, and 98-91 in favor of Hrgovic.
Additional results include:
- Hayato Tsutsumi defeating Qais Ashfaq via a third-round stoppage
- Raymond Ford successfully outboxing Abraham Nova across ten rounds
- Mohammed Alakel achieving a first-round knockout against Yumnam Santosh Singh, maintaining his unbeaten record
About Phil Jay
Phil Jay, a seasoned boxing reporter with over 15 years in the industry and Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News, has covered numerous significant moments in boxing history, interviewing various world champions and reporting live from major events.
