STEVEN “SO COLD” NELSON TRAINING CAMP QUOTES

 

Press Release: By BLK Prime – OMAHA, NEBRASKA (December 2 , 2022) – Undefeated prospect Steven Nelson (17-0, 14 KOs), of Omaha, NE, is ready to square off against James Ballard (10-4, 3 KOs), on the Crawford vs. Avanesyan card taking place at the CHI Health Center in Omaha, Neb. on December 10. Nelson vs. Ballard is scheduled for eight rounds in the light heavyweight division. 

Credit: BLK Prime

 

Crawford vs. Avanesyan, a 12-round WBO welterweight world title clash, will stream live on the BLK Prime app and across all cable and satellite outlets for the price of $39.99. BLK Prime, a Silicon Valley-based tech company, is a subscription video-on-demand platform that utilizes elite technology to bring the best picture-perfect stream available. The telecast will begin at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT. 

 

Nelson is fighting for the first time since a TKO victory over DeAndre Ware in September of 2020 following a torn Achilles tendon. A U.S. Army veteran, Nelson spent eight years working in satellite communications with the 7^th Special Forces Group and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2008-2009. He then joined the Army’s World Class Athlete Program boxing team and was stationed in Colorado Springs prior to beginning his professional career.

 

He is training alongside his lifelong friend and fellow Omaha native Crawford in their Colorado Springs training base in preparation for December 10. Here is what Nelson had to say about his training camp, his matchup with Ballard, fighting at home on BLK Prime PPV, and more.

 

On his recent training camp: 

 

“Training camp has been going great. This is one of many camps that we’ve done together in Colorado Springs, but seeing how motivated Bud is and how hard he pushed us has made this camp really special for all of us. I’m coming off a torn Achilles that had me sidelined for two years, so I cannot wait to step back in the ring. It really feels like it is our team against the world. Bud and the coaches have made me step up my game. If you aren’t strong enough, you are not going to make it in this camp.”

 

On his matchup with James Ballard:

 

“I am going to smash Ballard, respectfully of course. I have had some setbacks, but I am one of the best fighters in my division. I am looking to win this fight and go after fighters like Edgar Berlanga and many others who have been avoiding me. I am taking Ballard extremely seriously, but I fully expect to stop him.”

 

On what a win will do for his career:

 

“Once I am victorious on December 10, I want all the top contenders in the division. But to do so, I have to put on a great performance in Omaha and remind the boxing world who I am. This reminds me of how I felt prior to the Reyes Diaz fight when I stopped him. He basically retired after that fight, and that is the type of performance I am going to do on December 10th. I am going to win and target all the big-name fighters."

 

On fighting on BLK Prime PPV at home:

 

“This is the first time I'll be fighting on PPV, so I'm very excited. Seeing the type of love BLK Prime is showing Bud, made me a fan. They're putting the fighters first, and I know the fans will get behind them, because they have good intentions and are paying the fighters for risking their lives. Getting the chance to fight at home on this BLK Prime PPV card is a blessing. I’m expecting a lot of hometown supporters and people I have met worldwide during my military career to be in attendance. The CHI Health Center is going to be electrifying on fight night."

 

Material and Photo Courtesy of: BLK Prime Used with permission.

 

The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

 

Ballard Changes Lifestyle in Preparation for Ring Return

Press Release: February 6. 2022 By Brandon Countee – In preparation for his return to the ring in 2022, light heavyweight boxer James Ballard has embraced a vegan lifestyle to better maintain weight and improve his health. Ballard whose weight in between fights tops 195 pounds feels that he needs to adjust his total lifestyle in order to perform at his best.

Credit: Brandon Countee

 

"It's the right thing to do for my body. Eating all this pre-processed stuff is just abusing my body. I've seen how Floyd Mayweather, AJ, and a few other guys have really changed what they eat to maintain their performance. If it works it's worth it." Ballard says. "I want my body to be right and 100% if I want to compete at my highest level."

 

Ballard's intent is to return to the ring in March or April to showcase his new style and physical conditioning with hopes to get his career back on track with a big fight. "James, his trainer, and I talked about what needs to be done for 2022 and we agreed that he has to be at his physical and mental best." Says Brandon Countee, Ballards Manager. "We decided to work together in 2022, but it would only work if he was in his best place mentally and physically. When he told me he was going vegan I commended him on being true to trying to be in his best physical place."

 

Ballard admits that he is only embracing a vegan lifestyle to improve his boxing performance and that the door is still open to eating meat again. "I love my steak, chicken, and hamburgers. I definitely will eat those things again. Maybe I'll feel so good ill just go to the impossible meats I don't know. I know I just have to do the best I can for 2022."

 

 

Material and Photo Courtesy of Brandon Countee Used with permission

 

The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

James Ballard: 2022 A Redemption Year in Boxing

 Press Release: January 18, 2022 By Brandon Countee – Light-Heavyweight boxer James Ballard looks to return to the ring in the first quarter of 2022 a much different boxer than he has been in the past both inside and outside the ring. Having fought twice in 2021, both bouts resulted in losses, something that he regrets. In hindsight, he realizes that with the pandemic and his personal life, he wasn’t as focused as he should have been.  “Boxers can either win, lose or draw.” James laments. “Those are the only three outcomes. I can accept losing if I gave my best and it just wasn’t my day. But honestly, I feel like I should have prepared better.” 

Credit: Brandon Countee

Ballard returned to the ring after a 3-year hiatus in July 2021 admits he should have been better prepared for his bout.  “I took my first loss in 2017 and immediately came back and avenged it the following fight.  I lost in 2018 and didn’t fight for 3 years. Then I wasn’t focused when I was training on getting back to the level I needed to. Losing was the likely outcome.” James admits.

He wants 2022 to be different and sees it as a rebirth of his career and his professionalism in the sport. The latter he accepts was lacking at times. Anyone who follows the sport can recall stories told or incidents witnessed of boxers, promoters, and all in-between making regrettable decisions or flat-out mistakes in retrospect.  “I made some boxing decisions that were just bad for business and personal. When I look back at things I wish I could have explained why I did or said some of the things. I gotta accept that I can’t change the past but just really have to focus on getting my career on track. Boxing is that one sport where there is redemption and your chance to grow. Since turning professional I got married and am a father now. I made a decision to be a better person.”

Material and Photo Courtesy of: Brandon Countee Used with permission.

 

The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

Light Heavyweight James “The Equalizer” Ballard Looks To Make Waves In 2022

 Press Release: December 28, 2021 By Brandon Countee – (Detroit, Michigan) Light Heavyweight and Detroit Michigan native James Ballard looks to get his career back on track in 2022. After 3 straight losses, the fighter felt that 2022 needed to be his crossroad year in boxing. “To be honest I was not prepared like I needed to be in my last 2 fights, and you could see it. I was not focused like I should have been, and I promised myself 2022 would be much better. To be honest my record of 10 and 4 is more a reflection of not being dedicated fully more than my actual potential limits. I am more focused and dedicated, got a new trainer and everything.” Ballard states. He is now aligned with former boxer and trainer Ray Darden who looks to help bring out the best in Ballard. 

Credit: Brandon Countee

 

“James has talent, and it is a shame that he got unfocused because that can really mess up a fighter's career. My plan is really getting him back on track and to get some quality wins for 2022 and going forward.” states his new trainer, Ray Darden.

 

Ballard looks to get opportunities to upset the apple cart for contenders at 175. “Boxing is the one sport where one fight can make a star and save a career.”

 

 

Material  and Photo Courtesy of: Brandon Countee Used with permission.

 

The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.