Frank Warren in talks to make Nick Ball vs Naoya Inoue in February 2026
Nick Ball vs Naoya Inoue could happen in February 2026, according to Frank Warren
Queensberry Promotions' Frank Warren has revealed that an announcement on Nick Ball’s (22-0-1, 13 KOs) next fight is imminent, with talks already underway for a potential blockbuster clash against Naoya Inoue (30-0, 27 KOs) later this year or in early 2026.
Speaking to Boxing News, the 73-year-old Warren revealed, “I like Nick in the fight. Inoue, I’m a massive, massive fan. Guys get caught. It’s when they get up and win. That’s fighters who can take a punch when you can get off the floor and come back. He’s a quality, quality fighter.”
The Hall of Fame promoter confirmed that preliminary discussions with Inoue’s team have already taken place, with the Japanese superstar potentially moving up to a fifth weight class for the bout, “They’re up for it,” Warren said of Team Inoue. “As I say, they gotta win their respective fights, come through those, and I’m sure we’ll get it done.”
Liverpudlian Ball's immediate focus, however, is his next challenge. “We’re announcing a big fight [for Nick] in a couple of weeks’ time,” Warren revealed.
“We get that done, Nick’s got to win, and he’s going to have another fight. Then, hopefully, we get him [and Inoue] on at the end of the year or February in what I believe will be a super-fight.”
