I won't panic just because I am fighting for a world title on the Anthony Joshua undercard

Nick Ball and Paul Stevenson have exchanged thousands of phone calls over the years - but one will live long in the memory.

But so unsure was Ball that what he heard was correct, he immediately had to call his trainer back to double check that he hadn’t misheard. Stevenson, though, had just delivered the news the 27-year-old was desperate to hear. A world title shot had been secured and a fight date confirmed.

Rey Vargas is the man standing between the unbeaten Ball and what he believes is his destiny, with the fight set to take place on the undercard of Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia on Friday night. It is set to be the biggest night of the Everton Red Triangle man’s career, but he is determined to put on a show.

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“When I got the phone call, I was about to train in the gym, and I had to ring Paul back to double check it was right what he said,” he tells the ECHO.

“Deep down, I always knew it was going to happen. If you put the work in, you get out what you put in. I always know I am going to become a world champion; it was just when.

“I have been putting the work in for years, and it has paid off. It doesn't seem real; it will probably hit me when I get there.

“It is a massive opportunity for me. And again, Frank [Warren] has delivered; he said he would deliver, and he really has with this one.

“I am looking forward to being a part of it and showing why I should be on their shows. I believe they will take a liking to my style.”

Ball will take on Vargas for the latter’s WBC featherweight title, but despite