Hard Days Night | Ball vs Doheny Programme

Promoter’s message

Welcome back to the M&S Bank Arena here in the great city of Liverpool.

When we returned to the banks of the Mersey in October I said I wanted to fire up the fight scene again and make it a regular thing. Now we are back again with a top quality card that has seen to it that tickets have been flying out of the door.

This is in no small way down to the exploits of Liverpool’s very own world featherweight champion Nick Ball, who is the catalyst for what I believe will be a boxing boom here.

Nick had an incredible 2024. He challenged for the WBC world title and, in my opinion, was cheated by it being scored a draw. A couple of months later he was back in the ring taking on a formidable champion in Ray Ford for the WBA belt and this time there was no denying him. It shouldn’t be underestimated how big a win that was because Ford is a fantastic fighter who will surely reach the top at super featherweight.

Then Nick had his homecoming against Ronny Rios and it was a very special night, his first in the city since early 2020 and his first in the Arena. I know how much it meant to Nick to perform in front of his own people and he gets to do it again tonight against a tough, rugged former world champion in TJ Doheny.

One of the great things about Nick is that he has no wish to sit back and ponder his achievements, he wants to be fighting and we will be back here, if everything goes to plan, a little bit later in the year.

We’ve got a firecracker of a fight as chief support tonight. Andrew Cain, who I believe will be looking at world titles himself sooner rather than later, goes up against former flyweight world champion Charlie Edwards in a fight that has got people talking.

Andrew had a good year in 2024, winning the British, Commonwealth and WBC International titles. Now he takes on Charlie, who won the European title last time out, with the coveted WBC Silver bantamweight title also up for grabs.

Another from the Everton Red Triangle Gym, headed up by the prolific Paul Stevenson, is Brad Strand, who is back in title action tonight against Ionut Baluta for the WBO European super bantamweight title. Brad is a quality operator who has responded magnificently to the setback of losing to Dennis McCann and is now showing a more spiteful side of his game.

A Scouse derby is happening at super flyweight, with the baby-faced knockout artist Jack Turner taking on his biggest test to date in Commonwealth champion Ryan Farrag. I know Joe McNally and the team at the Rotunda Gym have very high hopes for young Jack and also Jadier Herrera, the explosive lightweight, who fights for the WBA Intercontinental title tonight.

Tonight we will also get to witness four professional debuts, including two brothers in the immensely talented William and Leighton Birchall, who both enjoyed hugely successful amateur careers. Stoke super welterweight Lewis Lawton will also introduce himself tonight, along with Leamington heavyweight Joe Bourne.

I am also looking forward to seeing the second fight of Liverpool welterweight Lucas Biswana and I would like to welcome Stephen Clarke and Jack Power onto the show.

Before I close, I would like to extend my thanks, as always, to our wonderful sponsors Riyadh Season, 32Red, Unibet and That Prize Guy for their magnificent support, along with our unrivalled broadcast partners TNT Sport, who we work with for the final time tonight.

Most of all, my appreciation goes to you, the fans, for coming out in support of the boxers and making the watching of live boxing such a special experience.

I hope you enjoy your evening.

Best wishes

Frank Warren