WBA featherweight champion Nick Ball now has a tough challenge ahead, with Stephen Fulton lined up as his mandatory opponent. Ball, fresh off a tenth-round knockout win over Ronny Rios at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, may have to face Fulton next if the World Boxing Association orders the fight.
Fulton, a former WBC and WBO super bantamweight champion, poses a serious threat to the 5'2" Ball. Known for his slick boxing skills, Fulton could give Ball problems he hasn't encountered before. Ball had hoped to pursue a unification fight with another featherweight champion, but the WBA might not allow him to skip his mandatory defense against the dangerous Fulton.
Watch Fulton vs. Castro highlights: Watch
Fulton's last fight in July 2023 saw him fall to Naoya Inoue via an eighth-round knockout, but the American rebounded with an impressive split decision win over Carlos Castro on the undercard of Canelo Alvarez vs. Edgar Berlanga in September. Against Ball, Fulton wouldn’t have to deal with the same level of speed and power as he did with Inoue, which could make for an easier stylistic matchup.
If Ball is allowed to swerve the mandatory fight, a unification bout against WBO champion Rafael Espinoza could be on the table. For now, though, the focus is on whether Ball will take on Fulton, a fight that promises to test his abilities at the highest level.
As Ball himself said, "In boxing, it comes down to who wants it the most." Facing a fighter like Fulton will show just how badly Ball wants to keep his WBA title.
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