Fighters of New York: Andrew Ball

“I Love kickboxing and training, doing and teaching until I’m an old man…”

In this edition of Fighters of New York, we spoke to twenty-eight year old Long Island, New York native Andrew Ball, who is currently is looking to get his “feet back on the winning road.” In 2015 Ball suffered a couple of losses, but prior to that he was on a ten fight win streak that spanned over three years. Other than these losses, New York Fighting asked him “What else drives you? Why do get up in the morning? Why?”

Just from speaking with Ball for a few minutes one can tell there is more behind his motivation than overcoming these losses. Growing up, Ball wasn’t very athletic and didn’t have the grades or discipline to be on a team, but he did get into a few street fights. Shortly after high school he started training at Neligia’s Martial Arts where he instantly became hooked. Fast-forward eight years; Andrew holds a 16-4 record in kickboxing and 1-0 in MMA. These twenty kickboxing bouts are in all different styles ranging from Muay Thai, low-kicks to Glory rules.

Andrew with a strong push kick at his last fight, Battle of the Millenium 2

Ball’s passion he for this sport is real and the pride that he has for New York is just as strong. This sport isn’t for everyone, and  at the end of the day Andrew wants to “create a great future for himself, a happy future.”

Ball’s trainer Lou Neligia, best known these days as the owner/promoter of the MMA organization,  Ring of Combat, still finds time to trains students at his school. During his time as a competitive kickboxer in the 70’s and 80’s he captured three World titles. New York Fighting asked Ball about Lou as the trainer, not the promoter. “Knowing that Lou had been training fighters since the 70’s is very good thing.” Andrew knows first hand, not everyone can fight for Lou. “I wasn’t allowed to fight because my head wasn’t in it. For Lou to even consider you fighting you need to show him dedication, heart, you need to be one hundred percent there.”

Powerful headlock during a great back and forth fight that ended in a draw

Nowadays it seems like everyone is quick to get into the cage or ring just for the satisfaction of saying “I’m a fighter.” Finding an instructor who teaches the samurai way is a rare thing. Ball says, “A lot of people are creating futures for themselves but at the end of the day they won’t be as happy as I am, because I’m pursing my passion. My passion is what makes me happy. I fight to make that dream attainable.”

Check out Andrew Feb 26 as he fights for his trainer Lou Neglia’s Kickboxing promotion, Combat at the Capitale

Lou Neglia and Ray Longo’s Combat at the Capitale

Interview/Article: Dan Della Vechia

Edit: Kyle Antonelli

Photos: Jason Burfield