Queensberry Promotions is currently home of five world champions and the reputation of Frank Warren’s firm continues to grow, particularly with the help of the ‘five vs. five’ concept. Now, the boxing veteran has confirmed that one of his poster boys will have a world title homecoming for their next outing and promised a ‘stacked’ card full of local talent.
Turki Al-Alshikh’s plunge into the world of boxing has seen new doors opened, with promoters becoming willing to work with one another and fresh ideas being not only welcomed but executed. One key example of Al-Alshikh’s inventive interventions was the ‘Matchroom vs. Queensberry; five vs. five’, pitting five members of Eddie Hearn’s stable up against five of Warren’s, despite the pair having never spoke with one another in the years previous.
Warren famously came out on top, whitewashing Hearn 10-0 to silence his long-term rival, but the card was more so about the 50/50 contests on offer and the opportunity for lesser-recognised talents to shine on the big stage rather than Warren getting one over his loudmouthed foe.
One man who grabbed that opportunity with both hands was Liverpool’s Nick Ball, defeating WBA featherweight champion Raymond Ford by split-decision just three months after a controversial draw against Rey Vargas for the WBC crown.
In an interview on the Queensberry Promotions YouTube channel, Warren boasted of how strong his featherweight fighters are as a whole, before adding that Ball will headline a bill in Liverpool in the near future and that an official announcement for the fight night is not far away.
“There is a lot of good featherweights out there and there is a lot of good fights to be made between all of them. That is the business that we are in, of making quality fights, and all of these guys are quality fighters, and all are at different levels and different stages in their careers. Inevitably, they will want to fight for world titles, no doubt about that.
“Nick is going to be in action, he is going to be defending his world title up in Liverpool. There is a lot going on, we will be [announcing it soon].
“They [Liverpool] have got one [a hero], they have got a few! It is going to be a stacked card full of real good quality Liverpool fighters. I am looking forward to the show up there.”
Despite being a proud Scouser, this will be Nick Ball’s first fight in Liverpool since a first-round knockout win against Ivan Godor (20-72-4) in 2020. The 5’2” fan-favourite has been linked to a rematch with Ray Ford since his win, although the American’s difficulties making the 126lb weight limit will likely see him ruled out of a trip to Merseyside.
Instead, an all-British affair against WBA #14 Rhys Edwards (16-0), a meeting with undefeated Argentinian Mirco Cuello (14-0, WBA #4), or a potential showdown with fellow Liverpudlian Jazza Dickens (33-5) stick out as possible contenders for the hard-hitting featherweight champion.
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