Aussie prospect on the rise: Featherweight Ibrahim Balla

Eighteen months ago featherweight prospect Ibrahim Balla’s career was at the crossroads.

It was June 2016 and the reigning Australian featherweight champion was matched with hardnosed Filipino Neil John Tabanao 12-1 (8) for the vacant WBO Oriental 126-pound title in the regional Victorian centre of Bendigo.

With a glossy record of 9-0 (6), Balla was headlining his first show for his new promoter Lynden Hosking. The world-class Bendigo Stadium was packed. Sports fans from the 110,000-strong town turned up in their numbers to get a glimpse of the former Olympian who was being marketed as the next big thing in Aussie boxing in the lighter weight classes.

It should’ve been a coming out party, a reason to celebrate. But everything went wrong from the get-go. Issues outside the ring had Balla in a bad state of mind leading up to the bout. Training camp was disrupted. And for the first and only time in his professional career, he failed to make weight.

The fight itself was close. After two rounds the judges were split on who was ahead. But Balla looked flat. There was no snap on his punches, no urgency to his work. Signs were ominous. Then came the uppercut. Balla staggered back on his heels, touching the ropes and hitting the canvas. Down but not out, he was quickly back to his feet before smartly deciding to prop on one knee while referee Ignatius Missailidis administered the mandatory eight count.

There was blood in the water and like a shark, Tabanao was quickly on the attack again. A wild overhand right missed. Missailidis separated the fighters. Another overhand right from Tabanao. Then the crafty Filipino feinted a right to disguise the left uppercut that he threw from way downtown. It clipped Balla right on the point of the chin. He collapsed backwards on the canvas. And again, he was quickly back on his feet.

But referee Missailidis decided he had seen enough. He stopped the fight to save Balla from further punishment.

Balla was counted out at 1:47 of round number three.

“I wanted to continue to fight on,” said Balla. “I’ve been down before in my amateur career and came back to win fights, so I knew I could do it.”

It was a heartbreaking loss. But Balla is adamant that everything happens for a reason.

“I lost that fight fair and square,” said Balla philosophically. “Making excuses doesn’t get you anywhere. At the time you feel the disappointment, but I feel for you to become a better fighter you must accept it, take it on the chin.

“I reflected on the loss and what I could do better, what changes I needed to make, and used the negative as a positive. That loss has made me so focused and determined it’s made me want it more, which I hope others have seen in my last four performances.”

Those last four fights have shown a marked improvement in Balla’s performance.

Six months after the Tabanao loss he bounced back with a fifth round knockout of Indonesian journeyman Agus Kustiawan on the undercard of Punches at the Park II, featuring undefeated twin prospects Andrew and Jason Moloney.

And in his best year to date, Balla boxed a combined 30 rounds to dominate former world title challenger Silvester Lopez, tough and durable Vergil Puton and undefeated Salimu Jengo in 2017, almost doubling the amount of rounds he has boxed as a professional.

These quality rounds have been invaluable in his development, sharpening his skills and hardening his resolve.

“I feel I have grown so much as a boxer and gained a lot of experience from the last few fights,” said Balla, now 13-1 (7). “Fight rounds experience is priceless and during these three fights I’ve felt comfortable, more composed and been able to implement our game plan by taking my time and controlling the fights with difficult opposition, picking my shots.”

In a marked difference to his early fights, Balla displayed a renewed focus and patience in the ring.

“I appreciate you saying that, coming off the back of 2016 my trainer Lim and I worked very hard on my training, dedication and patience,” said Balla. “I trust the work we have been doing in the gym, which has taken me to a new level and I believe it’s been reflected in the ring. I want to reach the very top in boxing and have a rewarding career and I know I need to adjust, listen to my trainer and continue to learn.”

After his fight with the Filipino wildcard Balla was determined the loss was not going to define him as a boxer.

“I’m a fighter and I would have fought him again that night if the governing body would have let me go back in the ring,” said Balla, a second generation Aussie of Albanian descent. “I know I’m better than that loss, I feel I have what it takes to take on the very best in the world.

“I’m still building my career and heading to the top and I know I need to build on each fight, take the necessary steps by fighting quality opponents, learn and continue to improve. I’m very excited about 2018 and the future.”

These days Balla says the fight was a blessing in disguise. It serves as a reminder to him that you cannot afford to be anything less than 100% when you step into the prize ring.

“I do feel like it was a blessing in disguise and I’m glad that it happened early in my career,” said Balla. “I got caught and lost that fight fair and square.

“I have embraced that loss and I draw on it when needed. It has made me more determined. I put in 100% effort every day, whether I’m running, sparring or doing strength training. Boxing is my craft and it’s on me to ensure I train hard, learn and get better each camp.”

At the Grand Star Receptions Centre in Altona North on March 11 Balla will be headlining his first show since he hit the bump in the road at Bendigo.

“It’s such a privilege headlining a show, it means a lot to me especially right in the heart of the western suburbs,” said Balla of the card that is being called ‘Westside Rumble’.