Kendrick Ball Jr. (23-2-3, 13 KOs) returns to the venue where he has created so many memories on Saturday, September 26 when he takes on Argentina’s Job “The Archangel” Herrera (13-5-1, 6 KOs) at Bally’s Lincoln Casino Resort.
The bout is the co-main event of CES Boxing’s Fight Night in America, an exciting card that also features a Dominican Olympian and several of the best prospects in Rhode Island.
Tickets to Fight Night in America are quickly selling out. Purchase yours now at CESFights.com.
For the light heavyweight contender from Worcester, MA, the road to a career-defining fight leads back to where his professional career began.
“This is where I turned pro,” recalls Ball. “I’d say this is like my first home, so I’m really excited to be back. I haven’t fought there in years.”
Few fighters are as familiar with Bally’s Event Center as Kendrick Ball. September 26 marks the twelfth time that he fights at the venue where he has compiled an impressive 10-0-1 record with 7 knockouts.
Now a veteran of 28 professional bouts, the 33-year-old returns to the place where his professional career began for one more run in the hopes of landing a career-defining fight and earning the life-changing payday that has eluded him throughout his career.
“My goal in boxing is to get a big-money fight,” admits Ball Jr. “I’m 23-2-3. I have a good record, and I feel like I’m long overdue. I just need that opportunity presented to me, and when it is, I’m not going to turn it down. I’ll fight any of the top guys.”
Ball was introduced to boxing at a young age by his father and longtime trainer, Kendrick Ball Sr. However, while Kendrick Jr. trained and sparred at his local Boys & Girls Club for years, he did not begin competing until he was in high school. After an estimated 30 amateur bouts, Ball turned professional with CES Boxing in 2016.
Despite the limited amateur experience, Ball quickly developed into one of New England’s top super middleweights, winning the vacant WBC US Silver Super Middleweight Championship in 2021 against battle-tested Contender Series veteran Brian Vera.
With the success, Ball became part of a resurgence alongside the likes of former two-division world champion Jose Antonio “El Gallo” Rivera and world title challengers Edwin “La Bomba” Rodriguez and Jamaine “The Technician” Ortiz that helped establish Worcester as one of New England’s hottest boxing cities.
While Ball was initially active after the Vera victory, winning six fights and fighting to one draw from 2021 to 2023, he has fought just once a year since 2024.
“At the time I was signed with CES, so they were always keeping me busy,” reflects Ball. “When we ended up going our separate ways, my activity died down because locally, they make you cover everything when you get on shows, and it’s expensive. Then my grandmother passed away, and I ended up taking a little over a year off.”
Despite the challenges and hardships, Ball never completely walked away from boxing. The Worcester native returned in December of last year, winning a shutout 6-round decision over Norberto Gonzalez.
However, the economic realities of the sport required Ball to supplement his boxing career with a full-time job.
“I merchandise beer and do point-of-sale work,” says Ball. “I’m at work by 7 a.m. and I get out around 4:30, 5 p.m. Then I go straight to the gym.”
His “night shift” consists of grueling training under the tutelage of his father and Edwin Rodriguez, who serves as Ball’s assistant trainer as he prepares for Herrera, a grizzled Argentine veteran who has shared the ring with former middleweight world champion Vincenzo Gualtieri.
“He’s definitely going to try to come forward because he’s the smaller guy,” says Ball of Herrera, who is moving up from super middleweight for this bout. “I’ve got to stay on the outside and use my reach.”
Ball acknowledges that Herrera is a tough fighter with world-class experience, but he believes that he has the edge in both strength and boxing ability.
“I don’t take anybody lightly, so I’m going in there to get the job done,” says Ball. “I just feel like I’m going to frustrate him, and if I can end it early, that’s what I’m looking to do.”
At this stage of his career, Ball isn’t interested in padding his record or chasing belts simply for the sake of collecting hardware. He wants the opportunity to test himself against one of the division’s biggest names – and finally be compensated for the years he has invested in the sport.
“The Archangel” Herrera stands in the way of those goals, which is why Ball is fully focused on taking care of business on September 26.
“My birthday is on September 17, but I can’t celebrate it,” laughs Ball. “I’m going to celebrate it on fight night. I’m looking to give myself a big birthday gift. It’s going to be a good night, and hopefully we get a big opportunity after that.”
For Kendrick Ball Jr., there is no better place to begin his run toward that career-changing opportunity than the venue he affectionately calls ‘home’.
For more information on Fight Night in America and all other CES Boxing events, visit cesfights.com.
