Image source, Queensberry

That's all from us on another successful night for WBA featherweight world champion Nick Ball.

Ball has made two successful defences and now surely has to be in for a unification bout next time out.

As always, it was high-tempo and easy on the eye from Ball, albeit he might count himself lucky that his kick to the back of Doheny's legs at the end round one didn't lead to disqualification.

Thanks for joining us and we'll see you next time!

That is the sixth loss on TJ Doheny's record but it's just the second time he has lost inside the distance.

Who was the other fighter to stop Doheny... Naoya Inoue, of course.

Kal Sajad
BBC Sport at M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool

A four division world champion and undisputed in two of those weight classes, Naoya Inoue is already a nailed on hall of fame star.

The unbeaten Japanese superstar is called 'The Monster' for his 26 knockouts in 29 wins - a phenomenal feat in the lower divisions.

So is it realistic for Inoue – undisputed champion at super-bantamweight - to move up to featherweight and challenge for Nick Ball's title?

The Liverpudlian still has three other belts to collect in the division, but rumour has it that Saudi organisers are keen on hosting Ball-Inoue in Riyadh in December.

Anthony Crolla
Former world champion on TNT Sports

On the potential fight between Naoya Inoue and Nick Ball.

Great fighters get beat by keep moving up. He'd [Naoya Inoue] be moving up to fight the best featherweight on the planet. It would be a massive night for British boxing if he could pull that off.

Richie Woodhall
Former boxing world champion on TNT Sports

Worthy winner and a spot on call to be honest. Nick Ball just kept coming but he didn't quit.

Ball got into a rhythm and a stride and he really took his opponent apart here.

Queensberry promoter Frank Warren, speaking to TNT Sports on Nick Ball potentially fighting Naoya Inoue: "If that happens, it'll be towards the end go the year or the start of next year. That's the plan.

"Our job is to keep him busy and keep coming back here. Great undercard as well with fantastic fighters. I've got to take my hat off to TJ. Nick Ball is the best featherweight in the world."

Boxing coach Dave Coldwell on X: "Doheny was tough! Very tough! But Ball was too good and too relentless. With his style & the conditioning he has to go with it, I think he’s a real problem in the division, hope he gets the other champions in the ring because you’re going to have to be some fighter to beat him."

Image source, Getty Images

WBA featherweight champion Nick Ball has extended his undefeated record to 23 fights and at the age of just 28 has lofty ambitions over the next 12 months.

Who could he face?

• Rafael Espinoza is the WBO champion and will fight Edward Vazquez on 4 May
• Angelo Leo holds the IBF belt and is due to make his first defence against Tomoki Kameda on 24 May
• Stephen Fulton beat Brandon Figueroa to win the WBC title in February and is yet to be booked for his next bout

Fulton would seem the sensible option with no opponent on the agenda and would offer Ball the opportunity to stay active like in 2024 when he fought on three occasions.

Of course, Ball is also being heavily linked with four-weight world champion Naoya Inoue, who could step up to featherweight to further cement his claim as the best pound-for-pound fighter.

Inoue is the undisputed super-bantamweight champion and has previously held titles at bantamweight, super-flyweight and light-flyweight.

A fight with Inoue might have to wait until 2026 with the Japanese star, who often fights just twice a year set to face Ramon Cardenas on 4 May.

WBA featherweight champion Nick Ball speaking to TNT Sports: "In there, it's going to be tricky. It's a world title fight in my own city. Sometimes I can rush in. The main thing is taking my time and it paid off.

"They [the crowd] want to see all the action. Obviously, I can box and go all action. I felt him getting tired with the pace I was setting."

On who's next: "I don't know. It's not up to me, it's up to Frank [Warren], he's the best promoter in the world. Anyone."

Richie Woodhall
Former boxing world champion on TNT Sports

Nick Ball has got it all, he's an excellent fighter.

Nick Ball spoke about wanting to make a statement tonight and I think he may have just done that.

It was a feisty affair, Ball kicked TJ Doheny after escaping from a headlock at the end of round one and the WBA champion was deducted a point for twice pushing the challenger to the canvas.

Ultimately, Ball's class shone through.

Ball remains on track for unification.

Image source, Queensberry

"I'm pulling him out," is the message in the corner in between rounds.

That feels like the right call. Doheny was well behind on the cards, his right eye is almost fully closed from swelling and Ball just enjoyed his most dominant round.

Ball retains his WBA featherweight title.

Image source, Queensberry

Ball has Doheny trapped in the corner and starts to unload. There is nothing coming back the other way from Doheny. This is relentless as Ball tries to close it out.

There must have been a moment when the referee considered stopping the contest in that phase.

On we go, though.

Doheny lands low and gets a warning.

Ball with a body shot and then a right that glances off the top of the head.

Ball ends the round how he started it with Doheny pinned in the corner and throwing everything at the Irishman.

Carl Frampton
Former world champion on TNT Sports

It doesn't look like there's a way he can win the fight. He looks exhausted and I also think his jaw might be broken. There's a lot of swelling there. I don't think there's any way he can win this fight.

Richie Woodhall
Former boxing world champion on TNT Sports

I think Doheny has been hurt a couple of times to the body in this round.

I've only given Doheny two rounds so far so I doubt that point deduction is going to matter in the grand scheme of things.

Ball gets straight back to business.

Doheny goes down again and it's deemed another push from Ball. That's the second time Ball has done that.

Ball is deducted a point. He was warned after the first one that would be the case if he fouled again.

Doheny's right eye is starting to close up. Will the referee ask the doctor to take a look at some point?

Image source, Queensberry

Darren Fletcher
TNT Sports commentator

I think this has been a really mature performance from Nick Ball. He's had to pick his shots tonight and he's done it really well.

Richie Woodhall
Former boxing world champion on TNT Sports

When Doheny plants his feet, it gives Ball more of a chance of landing those shots.

Image source, Queensberry