Nick Ball and TJ Doheny had to be separated by security after a heated exchange at their weigh-in at BOXPARK in Liverpool on Friday, March 14, 2025, setting a tense stage for their WBA featherweight title fight.
The pre-fight drama began when Doheny initially failed to make weight for the championship bout, which was scheduled to be Ball’s second defense of his WBA featherweight title. Doheny (26-5, 20 KOs) came in over the 126-pound limit by 0.6 pounds, requiring him to shed the excess weight within an hour. Despite some dispute over fluctuating readings, he successfully made weight on his second attempt at exactly 126 pounds. Ball (21-0-1, 12 KOs), who weighed in at 125.9 pounds, was visibly frustrated by the delay and the situation, with his trainer and manager Paul Stevenson also expressing concerns over the scale readings.
The Heated Weigh-In and Pre-Fight Drama
Tensions escalated significantly when Doheny, 38, confronted Ball after stepping off the scales following his successful second weigh-in attempt. A verbal exchange quickly turned physical when Doheny nudged Ball in the chest, prompting the champion to shove him by the neck. Security personnel promptly intervened to separate the two fighters as Doheny attempted to break free, preventing the situation from escalating further. This fiery confrontation at the weigh-in only amplified the anticipation for their showdown, promising an intense battle in the ring.
Fighter Backgrounds and Paths to the Title Clash
Nick “The Wrecking Ball” Ball, a 27-year-old Liverpool native, entered the fight with an impressive undefeated record of 21 wins, 0 losses, and 1 draw, with 12 knockouts. Known for his relentless pressure and aggressive, all-action style, Ball had a busy and successful 2024. His first crack at a world title came on March 8, 2024, when he challenged Rey Vargas for the WBC featherweight title. That bout ended in a controversial split draw, despite Ball scoring two official knockdowns of Vargas. Undeterred, Ball seized his next opportunity, defeating Raymond Ford by split decision on June 1, 2024, to claim the WBA featherweight title. He successfully defended his title for the first time on October 5, 2024, securing a tenth-round TKO victory over veteran Ronny Rios in his hometown of Liverpool.
TJ “The Power” Doheny, an Irish southpaw, brought a professional record of 26 wins, 5 losses, and 0 draws, with 20 knockouts, into the contest. A former IBF super-bantamweight champion, Doheny had previously held a world title, winning it against Ryosuke Iwasa on August 15, 2018. His last fight before facing Ball was a challenging seventh-round TKO loss to Naoya Inoue, “The Monster,” on September 3, 2024, for the undisputed super-bantamweight title. Doheny sustained a back injury in that bout, which ultimately led to the stoppage. The fight against Ball marked Doheny’s first venture into the featherweight division, a significant step up in weight for the 38-year-old.
The WBA Featherweight Title Bout: Fight Night Recap
The clash, held on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, lived up to its intense pre-fight build-up. Nick Ball successfully defended his WBA featherweight world title against TJ Doheny, securing a technical knockout victory at the end of the tenth round. Ball, ten years Doheny’s junior, relentlessly pursued his opponent throughout the fight, showcasing his signature aggressive style. Doheny, despite his veteran experience and southpaw technique, found himself under constant pressure. While he attempted to counter and held his own in some exchanges, Ball’s continuous onslaught began to take its toll.
The fight was not without its rough moments. In the ninth round, Ball was penalized a point by referee Michael Alexander for throwing Doheny to the canvas, an action that had occurred earlier in the fight as well. Despite this, Ball continued to dominate, breaking down Doheny with varied attacks to the head and body. By the later rounds, Doheny was visibly bruised and struggling, needing assistance from his corner to get off his stool for the ninth and tenth rounds. At the conclusion of the tenth round, Doheny’s corner made the decision to stop the fight, leading to Ball’s TKO victory. This marked Ball’s second successful defense of his WBA featherweight crown.
Implications for the Featherweight Division
With this victory, Nick Ball improved his professional record to 22-0-1 (13 KOs). The win over a respected former world champion like Doheny further solidified Ball’s position as a formidable force in the featherweight division. Following the fight, Ball’s promoter, Frank Warren, expressed confidence in his fighter, hinting at more home comforts for Ball’s future bouts after another excellent reception in Liverpool. Ball’s aggressive style and consistent performances had already positioned him for potential unification fights in the 126-pound division.
Ball went on to make a third successful defense of his WBA title against Sam Goodman on August 16, 2025, winning by unanimous decision. However, his reign as WBA Featherweight Champion came to an end on February 7, 2026, when he suffered his first professional loss, a 12th-round TKO against former two-weight world champion Brandon Figueroa in Liverpool. For TJ Doheny, the loss to Ball marked his second consecutive defeat and his sixth overall professional loss. Despite a brave performance, the fight highlighted the challenges of moving up in weight and facing a younger, aggressive champion. Doheny’s record now stands at 26 wins and 6 losses. The featherweight division remains highly competitive, with Ball, despite his recent title loss, still a prominent figure, and the landscape constantly shifting with new contenders and champions emerging.
