The featherweight division has been a hot weight class in boxing over the last few years, and now promoter Frank Warren has declared who he feels is ‘unquestionably the best featherweight in the world’ as a new title fight has been announced.
Four different belt-holders currently operate the 126lb division, with Rey Vargas holding the WBC title, Rafael Espinoza having the WBO belt, Nick Ball occupying the WBA strap, and Angelo Leo serving as the new IBF champion, after knocking out Luis Alberto Lopez last week.
Warren feels there is a standout performer at the weight though, naming Ball as the best in the division, after it was announced that he would put his title on the line against Ronny Rios during a huge homecoming at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool on October 5.
“I am thrilled to be returning to Liverpool with a world title fight and, unquestionably, the best featherweight in the world in Nick Ball. His journey since beating Isaac Lowe at Wembley Stadium in 2022 has been a magical ride and nobody deserves a big homecoming more than Nick.
“It has long been our intention to deliver a home platform for our Liverpool contingent, but first we needed to develop them as star performers and major attractions. These boxes have been ticked in a big way by Nick and on October 5 we will be in for a special night at the M&S Bank Arena.”
Ball won the title back in June with a split decision victory against Ray Ford, and he’s relishing the chance to be fighting in his hometown for the first time since February 2020.
“I literally cannot wait to fight in Liverpool again, this time as a world champion. It has been over four years and it will be really special for me.
“Local interest in me and the other lads in the city is growing all the time and we all want to make Liverpool a regular destination for Frank and Queensberry. We’ve got the fighters to make this happen and I am sure the people will get behind us all.
“It has been a dream year for me with two world title fights so far, so to cap it off by defending my belt at home is the icing on the cake and I am so excited.”
Elsewhere on the card, Andrew Cain faces Joshua John for the Commonwealth and vacant British bantamweight title, plus Henry Turner meets Jack Rafferty for the Commonwealth, WBC International Silver and vacant British super-lightweight titles.
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