Cannonball doesn't need any upgrades... a well written cannonball that actually knows how to use his powers can give anybody Herald level (minus Surfer) a fight. Ignoring the characters ability is what make people think he'll lose.
An enraged Cannonball took on and stalemated the fury... the same one that fought MJJ and he was amping through the entire fight (due to his ability to absorb kinetic energy).