Rachel Ball has said that she could knock out Shannon Courtenay when the pair of them fight for the WBA bantamweight this summer in a rematch.
Courtenay had an undefeated record until she met Ball last August as part of Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Fight Camp series. Ball has suffered from a bout of Covid-19 and is now ready to fight in January, aiming to secure the WBA belt. Ball has warned that Shannon Courtenay could hit the canvas again when they renew their fiery rivalry in a rematch for the WBA bantamweight belt this summer.
"One hundred percent she'll be facing a better Rachel Ball," Ball said to Sky Sports. "I get better and better each time. I've been to hell and back, and mentally I'm stronger than ever. There's nothing you could throw at me that could be any worse than what I've dealt with in the last three-and-a-half months. Of course, I can [drop Courtenay again]. Don't forget that fight was made at nine stone, one [pound]. This next fight is going to be made at eight stone, six, and the weight distribution is going to affect Shannon a lot more than me because she's significantly shorter than me, so I expect to do the same again.
"My trainers truly believe that [I can stop her]. I don't go out there declaring that I'm a massive knockout merchant, but I have knocked down girls, and I'm confident of doing that again.
Ball questioned if Courtenay is a world-class fighter.
"Well, that is to be determined when I fight her, isn't it," Ball said. "Shannon has got to promote herself, of course, she has. I've been in fights where against [Katharina] Thanderz and people have said that was a questionable decision. But you know what, I just got on with my life and moved on. I think she's still the same fighter. When I saw her fight in December, I didn't see any change. Maybe she rolled her headless, but her opponent isn't several inches taller than her. She did fight differently against Ebanie to myself. She used the jab more, which yes, she had to.
"That kind of way of fighting wouldn't really work so well against me. In that respect, she adapted to her opponent, but I feel that compared to when I fought her in August, and then when I fought in November, I saw and I think everyone else saw, a distinct difference in the way that I fought. I've really worked hard on my technical abilities, but we'll see what she brings to the table if and when I next face her."