On March 15, 2025, boxing fans are gearing up for the WBA featherweight title match between defending champion Nick Ball of the UK and challenger TJ Doheny from Ireland, set to take place at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool. The pre-fight tension heightened during the weigh-in on March 14, which unveiled not only the athletes’ dedication but also their fiery rivalry.
Champion Nick Ball weighed in successfully at 125.9 pounds, just under the limit of 126 pounds for featherweights, showcasing his readiness for defense of his title. Meanwhile, his opponent TJ Doheny, who previously held the IBF super bantamweight championship, initially tipped the scales at 126.1 pounds—an ounce over the limit— necessitating him to strip down and reweigh after one hour. Fortunately for Doheny, he passed the second weigh-in, scoring at exactly 126 pounds, allowing the fight to proceed.
The weigh-in featured more than just numbers; it was also filled with palpable animosity. Tensions boiled over during the face-off, where the two boxers exchanged heated words, edging dangerously close to physical confrontation. Ball, visibly upset with Doheny’s initial overweight situation, confronted his challenger directly, stating, “You’re not prepared.” This sparked a brief moment of chaos when Doheny shoved Ball’s shoulder, leading to Ball grabbing Doheny by the neck. Fortunately, security intervened before any punches were thrown, defusing what could have escalated to a brawl.
TJ Doheny, at age 38, aims to revitalize his career after suffering a TKO defeat to Naoya Iinoue last September, which left him grappling with injury and disappointment. Despite these setbacks, Doheny remains undeterred, asserting at the press conference just days prior, “The loss to Naoya is in the past. I have confidence in my abilities.” Doheny’s past experience and resilience may play to his advantage as he steps up against the younger champion.
Nick Ball, now 28 years old and boasting an impressive record of 21 wins (12 by KO), has been making strides since winning the title against Raymond Ford last June. He defended his title successfully with a KO victory over Reymond Lioss later the same year. Ball’s recognition and possible future links to bigger names, including another attempt to face Iinoue, may add extra weight to his performance against Doheny. During the pre-fight chatter, Ball had mentioned wanting to produce “an amazing performance” to draw interest for future bouts.
Should Ball triumph against Doheny, he is likely to pave the way for exciting matchups, reinforcing his status within the featherweight division. Observers are curious to see if Doheny can leverage his experience to seize victory and reclaim glory after his past defeats.
The stakes have certainly been raised following their confrontations, which highlight both boxers’ temperaments and determination. “I’m focused on this fight. I want to do good work and give impressive performance,” Ball emphasized, showing he’s channeling any frustrations from the face-off directly toward his combat preparation.
The buzz around this title match encapsulates not just the rivalry between these two fighters but also the larger narrative playing out within the sport. Each fighter is not just fighting for the title but also for their respective legacies and futures within boxing's competitive ranks.
How the fight will play out remains to be seen. With both having much to prove, fans can expect fireworks as they take to the ring. Whether it ends as Ball's defining defense or as Doheny’s comeback story awaits to be written.