Raymond Ford v Nick Ball: Prediction, Tips & Odds

Our resident boxing expert Rob Tebbutt looks ahead to Saturday night's WBA featherweight title showdown between Raymond Ford and Nick Ball and reveals where he feels the betting value can be found in the hugely-anticipated Queensberry v Matchroom bout.

Raymond Ford v Nick Ball Tips

Raymond Ford - By Decision or Technical Decision @ 5/4
Either Fighter - By Split Decision @ 9/2
Either Fighter - By Majority Decision @ 9/1

Matchroom Boxing's new WBA featherweight champion Raymond Ford will take on Britain's Nick Ball in Riyadh this weekend as part of the huge 5 v 5 fight card.

Last time out, we saw Liverpool's Nick Ball come up agonisingly short in his quest to capture a first world title, against the WBC champion Rey Vargas.

Despite notching two late knockdowns, and potentially doing just enough to win the title, he was ultimately forced to settle for a draw, but has an immediate opportunity to put that heartbreak behind him against Ford.

As is the case with all of the fights this weekend, I am expecting this to be another incredibly tight and very competitive bout.

I don't feel that Ball will have the same disadvantages as he had against Vargas, who is a very tall and gangly fighter, with Ford being a far smaller and more compact operator.

Ball will be able to get to his opponent a little bit easier this time around, but by the same token, I am expecting Ford's footwork and freshness to be a decisive factor here.

Look, there are pro's and con's to backing either fighter this weekend; it's a real 50/50 fight.

But I am just about going to back Ray Ford to eek out a very close decision, which is priced up at 5/4.

But as I have picked out in a couple of the fights recently, including Oleksandr Usyk v Tyson Fury, I will also be taking a look at some of the props, such as either fighter by split-decision (9/2) and either fighter by majority decision (9/1).

This will be incredibly close, but I just fancy Ford to get over the line with his title still intact.

Raymond Ford v Nick Ball Bet Boosts

Fight Outcome (5 Way)
Raymond Ford - BY KO, TKO or Disqualification
Was 15/4 >> Now 9/2

Fight Outcome (5 Way)
Nick Ball - By Decision or Technical Decision
Was 7/2 >> Now 4/1

All odds and Bet Boosts were correct and available at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or fluctuation.