IN GREAT NICK

CrossFit training has world champ Ball firing on all cylinders

- BY CHRIS MCKENNA X@cmckennasport

NICK BALL may be Britain's only male world champion in the ring - but he has also got plans to rule the CrossFit circuit.

The Liverpool puncher puts his WBA featherweight title on the line against Aussie Sam Goodman this weekend in Saudi Arabia.

Ball, 28, is known for his engine in the ring and his competitive nature out of it - so training and competing in CrossFit gives him an edge in both worlds.

Regular CrossFit competitors across the country have had to go up against the Scouse scrapper.

While inside the ring he has shown his endurance and power across big fights with Mexico's Rey Vargas and American Ray Ford, who he outpointed to become world champion. He has also stopped Ronny Rios and TJ Doheny late in his two defences of the belt to date.

And he puts it down to his work at the Peak Performance gym in his home city of Liverpool.