Nick Ball stops Ronny Rios in round 10 to retain world title

NICK Ball finally overcame the resistance of WBA featherweight challenger Ronny Rios in Liverpool’s Echo Arena. Rios’ chief cornerman stepped up on the ring apron to wave the towel and pull their man out of harm’s way at 2-06 of round 10.

Ball came racing out of the blocks, firing in heavy shots from both hands. Taller, with greater dimensions, Rios tried to crouch in and trade but the firepower difference was instantly apparent as Ronny sagged on the ropes as early as the second round. Ball exited that very session with a bloody nose, so Rios must’ve landed something of note.

The beating continued into the third as Rios hit the canvas following a Ball barrage. He climbed to his feet and nodded to referee Bob Williams that he was willing to receive further punishment. Ball obliged with an onslaught that seemed to last the rest of the round.

Rios had a better fifth, launching left hooks to the body and peppering Ball’s gushing nostrils as the Liverpool man took a breather. Rios was down in round seven but disputed the call as Ball got a second wind and started reeling off the uppercuts, mixing in a few stance switches for good measure. Rios, who would later slip to 34-5 (17 KOs), finally melted away in the 10th round as he was battered through the ropes and pulled out.

“To be honest, I think I got a bit carried with the crowd; I took a few too many shots,” said Ball, who improved his record to 21-0-1 (12 KOs).

“He’s a tough man, he came back and respect to him. My nose always goes, it’s boxing, you’re always going to get a nose bleed.”

Ball has one of four belts, and names like Rey Vargas and Naoya Inoue were mentioned afterwards. Unifications seem to be on the agenda, as does a long-running dream of fighting in Anfield.

Nick Ball vs. Ronny Rios Undercard Results

Earlier in the evening, Jack Rafferty lost much of the boxing match but won the war, forcing Henry Turner out after round nine. Southpaw Turner boxed well until enduring a torrid ninth round of abuse that saw him eventually crumble to the canvas for a late count, his nose spilling blood. In between rounds, as Turner’s head tagged disconsolately, Alan Smith alerted referee Ron Kearney that the fight needed to end.

Jack Turner blasted away Gonzalo Corinaldesi in the opening round of their scheduled six-rounder. Cuban talent Jadier Herrera took a couple of rounds to loosen up before a left hand to Oliver Flores’ body left the Nicaraguan down and out.

Andrew Cain crushed Lazaro Casseres in round two. Joe Cooper opened up the televised portion of the card with a tough points win over Lukasz Barabasz. Walter Fury outpointed Dale Arrowsmith over four rounds.

Before that, there were wins for James McGivern, Lucas Biswana, Nelson Birchall, Brad Strand and Boma Brown.