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Boxer Claims That CrossFit Takes Him to Another Level and Only Proves That It Is a Training Methodology That Should Exist in the NBA, NFL and World Soccer
The training methodology has gained ground to support top high-performance athletes.
The physical preparation for elite sports is truly intense, and the training an elite boxer undergoes can be brutal. Now, imagine that training is enhanced by one of the most effective functional training methodologies—you could be shaping a superhuman.
Well, Nick Ball supports his training with CrossFit, and this could be a key factor in his success in his boxing division.
How CrossFit keeps Nick Ball at the elite level
The 28-year-old Brit holds the number three ranking by The Ring at 126 pounds. He is currently the World Boxing Association (WBA) champion and is set to make his third title defense against the division’s newcomer, Sam Goodman.
Known as "Wrecking Ball," Ball has become a role model, as he’s considered one of the best-conditioned boxers. He explained to Ring Magazine that CrossFit has significantly boosted his boxing career.
“My training style, what we do at Peak Performance with my strength coach Tom Christie, is a CrossFit gym,” Nick Ball commented.
“Everything is geared toward fighting and specifically programmed for boxing and beyond. The way he does it is, honestly, incredible. We compete in CrossFit competitions, and you can see all the flags hanging in the gym; I don’t think there are many gyms with that many podiums. It’s crazy.”
“That type of training works best for me. Everyone has their preferences—this or that, whatever works for them—but this is perfect for me. I’ll keep doing it in and out of camp,” he added.
“It’s a lifestyle, right? It’s year-round. It’s not just for the 6-to-8-week or 12-week camp. It’s all year, being a professional and pushing to the max. It helps a ton. It’s constant preparation for the next fight because this never stops.”
CrossFit has been gaining ground in boxing over the past few decades and is also applied in other sports, particularly in the NFL during the offseason. In boxing, for instance, three-division world champion Robert Guerrero became a strong advocate for CrossFit.
Currently, Nick Ball is the only male champion from Great Britain, and he will make his third appearance in Saudi Arabia after nearly dethroning WBC champion Rey Vargas during his first visit in 2024.
On June 1, 2024, Ball secured a hard-fought split decision victory over Ray Ford to claim the title, and since then, he has successfully defended it twice.
