![\"Nick](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0_GettyImages-2230490671.jpg\")
Nick Ball celebrates victory over Sam Goodman(Image: (Richard Pelham\/Getty Images))<\/p>\nConnor O’Neill reports after Nick Ball was taken the distance by Sam GoodmanNick Ball celebrates victory over Sam Goodman(Image: (Richard Pelham\/Getty Images))<\/p>\n
Nick Ball wasted no time in calling out Naoya Inoue after he retained his status as Britain’s only male world champion. Ball retained his WBA featherweight title with a battling performance against Sam Goodman in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night.<\/p>\n
After 12 rounds of boxing, the three judges sitting at ringside scored the contest 118-110, 117-111 and 115-113, all in favour of the Everton Red Triangle fighter. The 28-year-old from Kirkby<\/a> headed into the fight knowing that a defeat would bring an end to the UK\u2019s 37-year world title run.<\/p>\n Since Clinton Woods\u2019 light-heavyweight reign in 2005, the UK has had an active male world champion with a recognised organisation.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Molly McCann boxing debut confirmed after emotional retirement from MMA<\/a>READ MORE: Liverpool pair named in GB Boxing squad for historic World Boxing Championships<\/a><\/p>\n Ball also knew that a defeat in Riyadh would harm his chances of securing a mega showdown with Inoue.<\/p>\n The Japanese fighter, who is the reigning WBA, WBC, WBO, IBF and Ring Magazine super-bantamweight champion, has demolished every opponent on his way to claiming world titles in four different weight classes.<\/p>\n But Ball now has his eyes on a showdown with the 32-year-old, admitting: \u201cIt has been spoken about that much; everyone wants it to happen. Let\u2019s make it happen.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are three more belts out there and I wouldn\u2019t mind fighting for them. Or the other big names.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite suffering a cut to the side of his right eye in the final round, Ball more than deserved to come out on top.<\/p>\n However, praise must go to Goodman, who certainly showed why he was previously unbeaten and challenging for a world title.<\/p>\n “It was good,” Ball said. “I’m still obviously a world champion, but it probably wasn’t my best performance, in my honest opinion. But the main thing is that we got the job done.<\/p>\n “I’m still champion. I probably got hit a bit too much. Mostly it was on the gloves. I’ll have to watch it back. That’s what champions do, no matter what situation they’re in.<\/p>\n “They always come through. I just want to keep fighting and keep improving. Obviously being in with the other big names, the big title fights, that’s the aim.<\/p>\n Watch Ball vs Goodman live on DAZN<\/p>\n This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/a> \u00a319.99<\/p>\n DAZN<\/p>\n![\"Content](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1755460871_201_0_Untitled-7jpeg.jpg\")
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