Jamie Ball continues to pursue English title shot
Last updated on .From the section Boxing
Unbeaten Jamie Ball is determined to pursue a shot at the English light-middleweight title.
The 27-year-old from Coseley returns to the ring in June following a technical draw against Birmingham's Nasser Al Harbi in an eliminator fight in March.
With no rematch with Al Harbi in the offing, Ball told BBC WM he is keen to get back into title contention.
"I'm trying to get myself the mandatory challenger. I've wanted a crack at the English title for 12 months," he said.
Ball is a Midlands Area champion and was voted Midlands Young Boxer of the Year in 2011.
His fight with fellow unbeaten prospect Nasser Al Harbi was meant to produce an official challenger for the English belt but the bout ended in controversial circumstances.
The referee stopped the contest just short of the end of the fourth round when Al Harbi was cut from an accidental clash of heads, despite Ball claiming the cut was opened by a punch.
As the bout had not lasted more than four rounds, it was declared a technical draw.
Ball has now put disappointment about the fight behind him but is keen to face Al Harbi again at some stage.
"What happened, happened and none of us wanted that sort of outcome," he said.
"If it happens down the line it's something I would like and I know he'd like a true outcome," Ball added.
Ball's immediate plans are to pursue a shot at the winner after Erik Ochieng defends his English title against Andrew Lowe on 26 May in Nottingham.
Ball knocked Lowe out when he won the Midlands Area title in February 2011 and is desperate to get his hands on a major title.
"That's the next step. I'm undefeated in 15 fights and I'm doing everything I've been asked to do," he said.
"I haven't swerved any fights, I just want a crack at a genuine title," Ball said.
