Ball v Doheny and Cain v Edwards betting preview
Nick Ball is spearheading Liverpool’s boxing revival and the hometown hero returns to action this weekend when he defends his WBA featherweight title against Ireland’s TJ Doheny at the city’s M&S Bank Arena. For all the latest fight odds, visit our sportsbook.
Ball can move closer to a proposed showdown with Japan’s pound-for-pound superstar, Naoya Inoue, with a win whilst Doheny will be bidding to become a two-time, two-weight world champion.
On the undercard, ferocious British and Commonwealth bantamweight champion, Andrew Cain, steps up a level when he faces former world flyweight champion and current European titleholder, Charlie Edwards.
Let’s have a look at some of the odds on offer for what looks like a must see pair of fights.
Nick Ball, 20-0-1 (12 KOs) v TJ Doheny, 26-5 (20 KOs)
In the evening’s main event, WBA featherweight champion, Ball, will make the second defence of his world title against tough, heavy handed Irish southpaw, TJ Doheny.
Ball was one of the busiest top class fighters in the world in 2024 and his body of work should have arguably earned him more consideration when ‘Fighter of the Year’ honours were handed out.
The 28 year-old Liverpudlian spent the entire year in world class. Ball looked extremely unfortunate to be held to a draw by then WBC champion, Rey Vargas, but then outfought the excellent American, Ray Ford, to win the WBA title. He defended his belt by stopping Ronny Rios in the tenth round last October. He is a short priced favourite to remain unbeaten at 1/16.
Doheny boxed twice last year. After an eight round workout in May, he jumped in with pound for pound superstar and undisputed super bantamweight champion, Naoya Inoue, in September. Doheny boxed well but the tide had turned definitively in Inoue’s favour when Doheny was hurt by a body shot and withdrew early in the seventh round citing a back injury. He is priced at 7/1 to end Ball’s reign.
There are clever subtleties to Ball’s work but his basic plan of attack isn’t likely to change this weekend. He will be his usual aggressive self, apply pressure from the opening bell and try to bully the older man back.
They may have come at a lower weight but Doheny has 20 knockouts on his record and the short, compact Ball will need to be wary of walking directly into a big shot but Ball has spent his entire boxing career figuring out how to get close to his opponent. A shock Doheny stoppage is a massive 15/1.
Doheny has been angered by Ball’s suggestion that he ‘quit’ during his fight with Inoue and has promised to make him pay for his words. Although Doheny is a fiery character, he is also a wily fighter and he may refrain from engaging in any toe to toe action in the early stages.
Whether it’s through choice or whether Ball’s relentless workrate eventually takes its toll, it seems all but certain that the 38-year-old will be forced to hold his feet and exchange punches with a younger, stronger man. A Ball knockout between rounds 7 and 9 is available at 16/5.
Ball may be known as ‘The Wrecking Ball’ but since stepping up to legitimate world class, three of his four fights have gone the twelve round distance. If you believe Ball will once again battle his way to a decision victory, that is priced at 7/5.
Andrew Cain, 13-1 (12 KOs) v Charlie Edwards, 20-1 (7 KOs)
Looking through this weekend’s card, the bantamweight fight between the exciting and hard hitting Andrew Cain and resurgent former WBC flyweight champion, Charlie Edwards, jumps off the screen.
The fight is a true clash of styles both in and out of the ring.
British and Commonwealth champion Cain is an aggressive, uncompromising fighter whose power overshadows his boxing ability. He is also a smart, no-nonsense character. Cain is the pre-fight favourite and priced at 7/25.
European title holder, Edwards, has an outgoing, outspoken personality and a slick style in the ring. He has spent years battling his way back to this kind of stage after vacating his world title and being cast to one side by the cruel business of boxing. The 32-year-old is an underdog at 13/5.
Cain has a vicious finishing streak and fast feet and hands. Most of his opponents have been unable or unwilling to stand up to his punching power. The only man who has been able to absorb Cain’s intensity is Romanian dangerman, Ionut Baluta.
Cain dropped Baluta twice in the opening round but badly damaged his hand and ended up losing a brutal ten round fight by split decision. The hand was so badly hurt that it sidelined Cain for over a year. Cain is priced at 8/13 to announce himself with a knockout win.
Edwards is a neat, tidy boxer and an excellent counter puncher and punch picker. He has reached the very summit of the sport and has completed the twelve round championship distance three times, twice in world title fights. Regardless of the circumstances, he believes that the loss to Baluta proves that Cain can be disheartened and beaten.
After a frustrating period of inactivity, he decided to reclaim his old status as a bantamweight. He won the European title by outboxing Thomas Essomba last September and felt good enough to immediately step into a serious, meaningful fight with the dangerous Cain. If you think Edwards can draw Cain’s sting and outbox him to earn a decision, that price is available at 18/5.
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