The Last Crescendo: Beterbiev vs. Bivol 2
Saturday, March 15, 2025 | Echo Arena, Liverpool, United Kingdom | Live on DAZN | Featherweight (12 rounds)
Introduction
In a clash of generations, 28-year-old British featherweight Nick Ball (Orthodox) scored a decisive 10th-round referee technical decision (RTD) victory over 38-year-old Irish former champion TJ Doheny. Fighting in front of a raucous home crowd, Ball systematically broke down Doheny with relentless volume and power punching, forcing Doheny’s corner to stop the bout before the 11th round. The result solidifies Ball’s status as a rising contender while raising questions about Doheny’s future in the sport.
Fight Recap
Round-by-Round Breakdown
- Rounds 1-3: Doheny started sharply, matching Ball’s output early (11 landed punches in R1 vs. Ball’s 12). Ball’s superior jab work (31% accuracy) began dictating range by Round 3.
- Round 5: Ball’s first major surge – 17 landed punches (11 power shots) visibly slowed Doheny.
- Rounds 8-9: Ball shifted into overdrive, landing 58 total punches across both rounds. Doheny’s output plummeted to 8 landed punches in Round 9.
- Round 10: A dominant final frame saw Ball land 43 punches (36 power shots at 52.9% accuracy), prompting Doheny’s corner to wave it off.
Key Statistics
| Category | Nick Ball | TJ Doheny |
|---|
| Total Punches Landed | 201 | 102 |
| Total Punch Accuracy | 36.4% | 28.8% |
| Power Punches Landed | 129 | 77 |
| Power Punch Accuracy | 42.4% | 34.8% |
| Jabs Landed | 72 | 25 |
Nick Ball (Winner)
- Strengths Displayed:
- Relentless gas tank (threw 90 punches in Round 10)
- Crushing body attack (62% of power shots targeted midsection)
- Improved defensive responsibility (slipped 44% of Doheny’s power punches)
- Areas for Improvement:
- Early-round accuracy (26.5% in R2)
- Occasional overcommitting to flurries
TJ Doheny (Loser)
- Strengths Displayed:
- Veteran counterpunching (landed 35% of power shots in first 4 rounds)
- Durable chin (absorbed 129 power punches without knockdown)
- Critical Weaknesses:
- Fading stamina (output dropped 42% after Round 6)
- Ineffective jab (16% accuracy from Round 4 onward)
Key Takeaways
Career Implications
- Ball: Positions himself for world title eliminator bouts. Potential matchups with Luis Alberto Lopez or Leigh Wood loom.
- Doheny: Likely faces crossroads – retirement or gatekeeper role against younger contenders.
Fan/Expert Reactions
- DAZN analyst Sergio Mora: “Ball’s engine is world-class. When he learns to pace instead of swarm, he’ll be unstoppable.”
- Social media debates centered on Doheny’s corner – praised for protecting their fighter but criticized for not stopping it earlier.
Official Result
- Winner: Nick Ball
- Method: RTD (Corner Stoppage) after Round 10
- Scorecards at Stoppage: 89-82, 88-83, 87-84 (All for Ball)
Post-Fight Quotes
- Ball: “I knew the body shots would add up. By Round 8, I could see him wincing every time I dug left hooks.”
- Doheny’s Trainer: “TJ’s a warrior, but Nick’s pressure was next-level tonight. No shame in this loss.”
Conclusion
This high-octane affair delivered action while answering critical questions about both fighters’ ceilings. Ball’s physical prime and punch variety make him a must-watch in the featherweight division, while Doheny’s legendary toughness can’t mask the effects of a 38-year-old war-torn body. Expect Ball to enter world rankings next week, with Doheny likely receiving respectful calls for farewell fights in Ireland.
Fight Rating: 4/5 Stars (Action-packed with clear narrative, deducted for one-sided late rounds)
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