Former two-division world champion Luis Nery (Mexico, 36 wins, 28 KOs, 2 losses), currently ranked No. 3 by the WBA at super bantamweight, has reached an agreement to challenge WBA World Featherweight Champion Nick Ball (UK, 22 wins, 13 KOs, 1 draw, undefeated) in a bid to become a three-division world champion. The bout is scheduled to take place on August 16 (August 17 Japan time) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
However, the originally planned main event for that same day — a clash between WBO Super Lightweight Champion Teofimo Lopez (USA, 22 wins, 13 KOs, 1 loss) and former two-division world champion Devin Haney (USA, 32 wins, 15 KOs, 1 no contest), who is currently ranked No. 1 by the WBC and No. 2 by the WBA at welterweight — has been called off after Lopez declined the fight.
Lopez, who has recently put on a string of uninspiring performances, had been seeking an opponent that could secure him a high payday. Meanwhile, Haney — whose planned rematch with former WBC Interim Lightweight Champion Ryan Garcia (USA, 24 wins, 20 KOs, 2 losses, 1 no contest) fell through — had stepped forward as a potential challenger.
Teofimo Lopez was reportedly offered a purse of $11 million (approximately ¥1.57 billion), and both fighters had signed their respective contracts. However, when Lopez withdrew from the fight, Devin Haney was furious.
Lopez’s refusal to face Haney left the Nery vs. Ball fight, which was initially planned as part of the undercard, in limbo. However, there has been strong support from fans and industry insiders worldwide calling for Nery vs. Ball to be elevated to the main event, and anticipation for the bout remains high.
Nery vs. Ball — while Saudi Arabia may no longer be the venue, there is growing expectation that the fight could take place in the UK or the United States. All eyes are on the next move.
Certainly! Here’s the English translation:
Luis Nery, who scored a knockdown against Naoya Inoue, is now aiming to regain his shine in the featherweight division. However, if he enters the ring in the same condition as he did when he faced Kyosuke Kameda, he may be in for a tough fight.
It all may come down to how well he manages his day-to-day conditioning.
This article has been translated and published with permission from BOXING MASTER.
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