Nick Ball Defends WBA Featherweight Title with Dominant 10th-Round Stoppage Over Ronny Rios

In a gritty display, Nick Ball successfully defended his WBA featherweight world title with a punishing 10th-round stoppage of American challenger Ronny Rios at Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena. The 27-year-old, fighting in his hometown, showcased his relentless power and aggression, dropping Rios in the third and seventh rounds before forcing a stoppage after a barrage of punches sent Rios tumbling out of the ring.

Despite battling through a persistent nosebleed from the early rounds, Ball overwhelmed Rios with powerful combinations. The California-based Rios, 34, stood up to the Liverpool native’s onslaught but could not withstand Ball’s intensity. The fight was waved off in the 10th round after the referee was forced to intervene as Rios’ corner threw in the towel.

“My nose always goes, it’s boxing. You’re going to get a little nosebleed, it’s what makes champions,” Ball said after his victory, praising the local crowd for energizing him throughout the fight.

Ball’s dominant performance in his third win of 2024 further solidifies his status as one of the top featherweights in the world. His undefeated record improves to 21 wins, with 12 of those victories coming by stoppage.

Wrecking Ball’ Overpowers Rios
Nick Ball entered the ring to a hero’s welcome in front of his hometown fans, marking his first fight in Liverpool in over four years. True to his moniker “Wrecking Ball,” the 5ft 3in pressure-fighter imposed his aggressive style on Rios from the opening bell. Though Rios managed to draw blood from Ball’s nose in the second round, the hometown fighter continued to land hard left and right hooks, breaking down his opponent.

Rios, a seasoned veteran who made his professional debut in 2008, attempted to rally in the fifth round with a solid right hook. However, the relentless pressure from Ball, combined with his superior power, left Rios on the canvas multiple times. By the seventh round, Rios was clearly struggling, and Ball’s sustained attack in the 10th proved too much, leading to the eventual stoppage.

What’s Next for Nick Ball?
With his homecoming victory, Ball further adds to Liverpool’s storied boxing history, joining the likes of local legends John Conteh, Tony Bellew, and Natasha Jonas. His next target is a unification fight, with Ball eyeing the WBO title held by Rafael Espinoza and the IBF crown currently in the hands of Angelo Leo. However, Ball also has unfinished business with WBC champion Rey Vargas, after their controversial draw in March.

“I’d like the Vargas fight, get the green and gold [WBC] belt,” Ball declared post-fight, signalling his intent to unify the division.

In addition to these ambitions, Ball harbours hopes of one day facing Japan’s Naoya Inoue, the undisputed super-bantamweight champion known as “The Monster” for his devastating power. A victory over Inoue, who has 25 knockouts in 28 wins, would catapult Ball to global stardom and establish him as one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world. However, Ball acknowledges that such a task will be challenging, but one that could elevate his career to new heights.