Nasser Al Harbi believes Jamie Ball will be taught a lesson on the levels they're currently operating at.
The unbeaten all-Midlands pair clash in a ten-rounder, on a solid-looking Dave Coldwell-promoted bill at Birmingham's New Bingley Hall tomorrow evening [March 16], for the right to challenge Erik Ochieng for his English light-middleweight title.
But smooth-boxing Al Harbi [pictured] is adamant that he'll be too talented for the reigning Midlands Area 11st champion from Coseley, who has just a solitary draw [against tough Telford trier Kieron Gray for the vacant Area belt in 2010] against 13 professional victories [four stoppages].
Trained by his father, Naji, the fleet-footed 22-year-old WBC Asia Council Continental boss is looking to make 2012 one to remember after a frustrating 2011 that promised much but only delivered 12 rounds of action, against durable pair Duncan Cottier and Lee Noble in July and September.
Instead, he should have been participating in career-hardest tests against then-unbeaten Irishman Dean Byrne and big-hitting former Commonwealth light-middleweight champion Matthew Hall - only to see the eight-rounders fall through a week or so before they were due to swap leather.
Yet Ball, a 27-year-old southpaw trained by his uncle, former unbeaten pro Shaun Cooper, could prove to be as difficult as either as the said pair. Long-armed and with a solid dig on him, Jamie has registered three inside-the-distance victories in as many fights, including an eight-round body shot KO over tough ex-Marine AA Lowe.
None of this worries Nasser, though, who is vocal in his belief that he has the required skills to win this and progress onwards. "I'm superior in ever department: speed, skills, movement and power," boasted the Yemeni-rooted Brummie ahead of the most significant Birmingham vs Black Country scrap since Wayne Elcock successfully defended his British title against Darren McDermott in 2008.
"I'm taking nothing away from Jamie, as he's a well-rounded pro with a lot of heart. He gives it his all in every fight but this about levels - and i'm several above him," Al Harbi, 13-0 (1), continued. "When Ball realises that i'm not there to be hit, it's going to be a very frustrating night for him.
"I'm not looking ahead of my opponent and i'm sure he's going think he can get the better of me, but i'm going to show Birmingham just how good i am and secure that fight with Ochieng. This is just the beginning," he added.
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