Many athletes’ journeys to the top involve tales of blood, sweat, and tears, but Nick Ball’s rise to becoming a world boxing champion embodies this literally. His story is one of sheer determination and resilience, highlighted by a grueling 16-mile run in steel-toe cap boots.
Nick Ball, a member of Team Queensberry, has punched his way to world champion status, but his career had a humble and challenging beginning. The newly crowned WBA Featherweight Champion’s journey didn’t start in a boxing gym but on a construction site in Liverpool.
After a successful stint as a Muay Thai junior world champion and amateur boxer, Ball found himself working in his father’s plastering company. One day, while in the middle of a plastering job, he had an epiphany. “What am I doing here?” he thought. Driven by a burning desire to pursue boxing, he made a bold decision.
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“I just got off. I actually ran home from the site,” Ball, 27, recounted in an interview with Mirror Sport. He told his father, “I’m not doing this anymore.” Despite a heated argument and his father’s initial disbelief, Ball was resolute. He ran 16 miles home in steel-toe cap boots, only to find himself locked out of the house. Sitting outside with bleeding feet, his determination was clear.
When his parents returned, they saw his resolve. “My dad gave me a big hug, and my mum did the same when she came in. It was an emotional time,” Ball said. This pivotal moment solidified his commitment to boxing.
Ball’s perseverance paid off when he won a split-decision victory over Raymond Ford to claim the WBA Featherweight title. This victory came just months after a controversial draw against Rey Vargas for the WBC belt. The triumph marked the beginning of a new chapter for the Kirkby native, who had faced numerous challenges on his way to the top.
Nick Ball’s rise was not without its struggles. Kicked out of school as a teenager for having “too much energy,” he channeled his focus into boxing. His story is a testament to finding one’s true passion and the power of determination.
Following a brief holiday in Dubai, Ball is back in the gym, preparing for another shot at the WBC title. Known as ‘Wrecking Ball,’ he received a hero’s welcome upon returning to Kirkby. A touching moment occurred when he met the builder from the day he left plastering, who humorously remarked, “We need to get back and finish that wall.”
Despite leaving his job for boxing, Ball remains grateful for the time spent working with his father. He credits this period for instilling in him a tireless work ethic. Inside the ring, Ball is relentless, applying constant pressure on his opponents. Outside the ring, he is calm and reflective, driven by the desire to care for his family and friends.
“Looking after the people around me and seeing what I can do for them has always been a dream of mine,” he said. “You know you always dream of it? When it happens, you just want more and more.”
Nick Ball’s journey from a plastering job to becoming a world boxing champion is an inspiring story of determination, resilience, and unwavering commitment to one’s dreams.
