BALL TO TOP THE BILL AT Y0RK HALL

THE WBC SILVER featherweight champion Nick Ball will make a second defence of his title when he tops the bill against the unbeaten Rafael Pedroza in the next of Queensberry’s Prospect Show series at York Hall on Friday November 11.

Big-hitting future heavyweight star David Adeleye also features on the card in what will be his 10th fight as a professional and the show will also feature young light heavyweight star Willy Hutchinson in WBO title action and new Queensberry signing, Northampton super welterweight Carl Fail.

Ball (16-0, 9 KOs) announced himself to the world as a genuine contender when he demolished the far more experienced Isaac Lowe to win his WBC strap at Wembley Stadium on the Fury-Whyte undercard back in April.

The Paul Stevenson-trained 25-year-old went on to defeat the rated Nathanael Kakololo at the Copper Box in July and is now setting about building towards a world title challenge.

Pedroza (13-0, 11) from Panama has earned his shot at WBC honours with 13 straight wins since turning professional in 2017 and clocking up an impressive 11 stoppages. The 26-year-old won the WBA Fedebol title at super bantamweight at the Roberto Duran Arena in Panama City in 2020 and his last fight was back in April when he defeated the 13-0 Hector Andres Sosa over 10 rounds.

Adeleye (9-0, 8) will hit double figures in a six-round encounter and was last in action at Wembley Stadium in April when he stopped Chris Healey in the fourth round. The 25-year-old will take on Mexican Elvis Garcia (9-3, 7).

Former world amateur champion Hutchinson (14-1, 10) returns to action after making a successful comeback in June against Karel Horejsek in Telford. The 24-year-old is set to fight over 12 rounds for the vacant WBO Intercontinental title against Luca Spadaccini (8-4-3, 4) from Italy.

Team GB product Carl Fail (6-0, 2) had 87 amateur fights and fought in numerous international tournaments, with his highlights being two European Championship silver medals (one at U22), becoming the 2016 ABA welterweight champion and making two appearances in the World Series of Boxing – winning one and losing one against France and Kazakhstan respectively (the Kazakh opponent being the No.1 in the world, Aslanbek Shymbergenov).

Former elite amateur Charles Frankham (6-0, 2) fights at super featherweight over six rounds against Jordan Ellison (13-43-3, 1) and featherweight Umar Khan will fight for the first time over six. Cruiserweight Aloys Jnr Youmbi (1-1, 1) and welterweight Sean Noakes (2-0, 1) complete the card in four round fights.

“This is another invaluable chance for our young fighters to shine and further their careers in front of the BT Sport cameras,” said promoter Frank Warren. “These occasions are created exclusively for the prospects to make themselves noticed and it is important they grasp the opportunity.

“Nick Ball is probably already well past the prospect tag but this is the chance for him to experience topping the bill against a fellow unbeaten opponent who is coming to win and further improving his ranking with the WBC. I am excited by what is to come from Nick and he will deliver plenty of thrills along the way.

“With heavyweights being the talk of the town at the moment, David Adeleye gets the chance to remind everyone that he will play a big part in the future of the division when he has his 10th fight as a pro. Willy Hutchinson will also be issuing reminders that he will quickly become a big player at light heavyweight when he fights for his first title at the weight, where a win will get him right back in the mix.

“I am looking forward to seeing Charles Frankham back in action as he is making significant improvements fight on fight, with Umar Khan, Aloys Jr and Sean Noakes fighters of rich potential.

“I’d also like to welcome Carl Fail to the Queensberry ranks, along with his brother Ben, who are two top quality super welterweight prospects. Carl will have his first fight for us at York Hall.”