Riyadh Season has provided fighters from around the world with a chance to make their names and change their lives. Few have grasped their chance as tightly as WBA featherweight champion Nick Ball.

It is 17 months since the 28-year-old Liverpudlian flew to Saudi Arabia as an unbeaten but unproven contender.

Matched with long-reigning WBC champion Rey Vargas, Ball quickly found his feet at world level and appeared unfortunate having to settle for a draw after bullying the veteran Mexican over the second half of their fight.

Three months later, he returned to Riyadh and edged the talented Raymond Ford over 12 quality rounds to win the WBA title.

Since then, Ball (22-0-1, 13 KOs) has successfully defended his title twice and now stands alone as Britain's only reigning male world champion.

Ranked No .3 by Ring, Ball is intent on proving himself the best featherweight in the world and will be looking to make a statement when he fights Australia's Sam Goodman in Riyadh on Aug. 16.

Goodman (20-0, 8 KOs) is undefeated but has yet to compete at the level Ball has been successful at, and will also be stepping up to the featherweight division.

In December, a cut eye ruled the 26-year-old out of a lucrative, high-profile fight with undisputed super bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue.

Whilst sparring ahead of the rescheduled date, the cut reopened and Goodman's chance vanished. His quest for a world title shot has led him to the 126lb division.

Odds: Ball is seen as a solid favourite to retain his WBA title and is available at 1/5 with most UK bookmakers. He's an odds-on favourite to win inside the distance with a typical price of around 8/11.

How does Ball win? Ball isn’t going to change the all-action, rampaging style that has brought him so much success. Although his short stature means he's most effective when able to slip under or inside an opponent's jab and close the distance, the eight-year pro has underrated boxing skills and uses his offence as his first line of defence.

Goodman can't allow Ball to march directly into range. The Australian wasn't a noted puncher at junior featherweight but he will need to quickly make Ball wary of closing the distance.

If Goodman finds himself in a high-paced, close contact fight from the early stages, he could be in for a long night.

What it means if Ball wins: Ball and his team have made no secret about desiring a major fight with Japan's pound-for-pound superstar Inoue.

In March, Ball made a point by breaking down and stopping former Inoue opponent, TJ Doheny. Now in Goodman, he takes on someone who put himself in position to challenge the undisputed 118lb titleholder before that cut eye ruined his plans.

Beating the undefeated foe in impressive fashion would strengthen Ball’s claim that he should eventually welcome Inoue to the featherweight division.

Bruce "Shu-Shu" Carrington, WBC interim champion and Ring ambassador, recently told The Ring Ball had turned down a lucrative fight offer. Although Ball described Carrington's comments as "lies," a potential showdown with the American is gaining traction.

What they’re saying: "He'll probably stand and try and fight, won't he? He wants to become world champion.

"Then he'll realise he can't do that and then I'll take over. Either way, whatever way it's going to go, it's going to be in my favour.” — Nick Ball

TV/Stream: Ball vs. Goodman makes up part of the Esports World Cup Fight Week fight card. The show will be available to stream live on DAZN PPV.

The event is priced at £19.99 in the United Kingdom, $19.99 in the United States, €19.99 in Europe and $39.99 in Australia.