Anthony Joshua, once Britain's boxing superstar, has picked Nick Ball as the UK's top fighter right now.
Joshua's career has seen ups and downs. He started off strong, stopping all his early opponents inside the distance. He grabbed his first world title by beating Charles Martin and became a unified champion until 2019.
But things got rocky for Joshua in 2019. Andy Ruiz Jr shocked everyone by beating him. Joshua bounced back and won their rematch later that year. Then came two tough losses to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and 2022.
Joshua's latest fight didn't go well either. He faced Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in September and lost by a devastating stoppage.
Before that Dubois fight, TNT Sports asked Joshua who he thought was the best boxer from the UK right now. His answer? Nick Ball.
"The best boxer from the UK right now is Nick Ball."
So who's Nick Ball? He's a fighter from Merseyside with an impressive record of 20 wins, no losses, and 1 draw. He's beaten some tough guys like Isaac Dogboe and Isaac Lowe.
Ball got his big break on June 1, 2023, in Saudi Arabia. He fought Raymond Ford for the WBA featherweight world title and won by split decision. This win was part of a team event where Queensberry's fighters took on Matchroom's, and Ball's victory helped his side come out on top.
Now, Ball's getting ready for his first world title defense. He'll face Ronny Rios on October 5 at the M&S; Bank Arena in Liverpool. Fans are eager to see if 'The Wrecking Ball' can keep his momentum going on home turf.
It's a big deal for Ball to get this nod from Joshua. Joshua's been at the top of British boxing for years, so his opinion carries weight. Ball's got a chance to prove Joshua right in his upcoming fight.
