Postpublished at 22:27 British Summer Time 5 October
Ball v Rios
Paul Smith
Retired boxer on BBC Radio 5 Live
It was a very fast start from Nick Ball. An aggressive start. A lot of power shots thrown in that round.
Summary
Nick Ball retains WBA featherweight title by stopping Ronny Rios in Liverpool
Ball drops Rios three times before towel thrown in in round ten
Liverpool fighter remains unbeaten in front of his hometown fans
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Postpublished at 22:27 British Summer Time 5 October
Postpublished at 22:26 British Summer Time 5 October
Ball v Rios
A very strong start from Ball but coach Paul Stevenson warned against complacency between rounds.
"He likes to counter so just keep yourself switched on," Stevenson said.
Round onepublished at 22:24 British Summer Time 5 October
Ball v Rios
Ball settles in nicely.
He backs Rios into the corner with some power shots and then bounces a right hook off the top of the American's head.
Rios seems hesitant to pull the trigger and he's failing to make the most of his five inch reach advantage.
A great opening three minutes from Ball.
The Liverpudlian looks so loose and every bit a champion.
Image source, Queensberry Promotionsget involved Get Involvedpublished at 22:22 British Summer Time 5 October
Ball generates incredible power even when moving forwards - Rios will be stopped in 5. Bold.
Anon
Round onepublished at 22:22 British Summer Time 5 October
Ball v Rios
Off we go.
Who will take that centre ground and force the issue early?
Can Ball remain undefeated?published at 22:21 British Summer Time 5 October
'Ball lets his punches do the talking'published at 22:21 British Summer Time 5 October
Josh Warrington
Former IBF world champion on BBC Radio 5 LiveHe's a cold character. He doesn't say much. He lets his punches do the talking. A regular appearance from Nick Ball.
Once that bell goes we'll see the real intentions.
Postpublished at 22:21 British Summer Time 5 October
Ball v Rios
Nick Ball looks very assured.
He is swaying from side to side and nodding his head as the ring announcer goes through his credentials.
We're almost ready to go.
Postpublished at 22:20 British Summer Time 5 October
Kal Sajad
BBC Sport at M&S Bank Arena, LiverpoolAh, here come the boos for Ronny Rios.
Postpublished at 22:19 British Summer Time 5 October
Paul Smith
Retired boxer on BBC Radio 5 LiveRios is an old, weary, experienced campaigner he knows what he's up against. He's come back into boxing after having a lay-off so he really wants to win.
Predictions - 'Ball on points or a late stoppage'published at 22:19 British Summer Time 5 October
Former light-middleweight champion Hannah Rankin: "On paper this is a tough homecoming for Ball. Rios has a very good record and a 50% knockout rate. However he's only had one fight in the last two and a half years so hasn't been very active, unlike Ball who's about to have his third fight this year and is flying high on momentum.
"So I'm going with Ball on points or a late stoppage. I think he'll have a tough task early on but his youth and recent activity will allow him to come on strong in the later half of the fight to dominate."
Former super-featherweight world champion Barry Jones: "I think it's a perfect defence for Ball and a difficult task if he isn't up to his game. Rios is an aggressive fighter and a really good body puncher. The way Rios boxes, coming forward and closing the gap, that's what Ball does well too. But Ball can box a little bit as well.
"I think it could be a typical Ball performance where he breaks you down and breaks your heart. There is more weight behind his shots. I don't think he will knock Rios out but will wear him down with the weight and accuracy of the shot and stop him late on. A home defence in an exciting fight will bolster his prestige and his revenue potential."
British heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley: "I think Ball is the real deal and will win. I've watched a number of his fights and I'm always impressed and excited by him. Boxing is about bringing entertainment and Ball does that in abundance."
'God made him 5’3 for a reason'published at 22:18 British Summer Time 5 October
Tyson Fury
Heavyweight speaking on TNT SportsI think he's fantastic little Nick Ball.
God made him 5’3 for a reason because if he was 6’5 we’d all be unsafe right now.
'Liverpool is a fighting city'published at 22:18 British Summer Time 5 October
Paul Smith
Retired boxer on BBC Radio 5 LiveWe've had a really hot spell in Liverpool. It's just a fighting city, a working-class city, it's a proud city and it's a city which gets behind their own.
Postpublished at 22:17 British Summer Time 5 October
Kal Sajad
BBC Sport at M&S Bank Arena, LiverpoolNick Ball took no time at all in that ring walk. No need to savour the moment, he wants to get down to business.
Image source, Queensberry PromotionsPostpublished at 22:17 British Summer Time 5 October
Ball v Rios
Here come Nick Ball.
I thought he might go with something Liverpool-themed for his music - The Beatles don't really fit this kind of night, though.
It's 50 Cent's 'Many Men' that he's picked.
He looks very serious.
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End of twitter postPostpublished at 22:15 British Summer Time 5 October
Kal Sajad
BBC Sport at M&S Bank Arena, LiverpoolUnderstated ringwalk and an underwhelming response for Rios there. No cheers, no jeers.
Experienced Rios has little to losepublished at 22:15 British Summer Time 5 October
Kal Sajad
BBC Sport at M&S Bank Arena, LiverpoolRonny Rios is a two-time world-title challenger and brings a wealth of experience. He lost a points decision to Rey Vargas – who Ball controversially drew with earlier this year - in 2017 but that was at super-bantamweight.
The Californian hasn't been brash or looking to create a scene in fight week. He's been fairly respectful and quietly confident of causing the upset. The pressure is off and often a fighter with little to lose can be the most dangerous.
Postpublished at 22:14 British Summer Time 5 October
Ball v Rios
Ronny Rios is first to make his way out.
The American has a black bandana across the lower part of his face.
I'm struggling to work out the song but it's a pretty understated walk from the challenger.
Image source, Queensberry PromotionsBall by a landslidepublished at 22:12 British Summer Time 5 October
The votes are in and the vast majority of you fancy Nick Ball to get the job done in his first title defence.
Ringwalks are about to get under way.
Unification bouts on the horizon for Ball?published at 22:11 British Summer Time 5 October
Looking beyond tonight's maiden defence of his WBA featherweight title would be dangerous for Nick Ball, even if he is a heavy, heavy favourite with the bookmakers.
Boxing can be a cruel sport and so many factors, such as an emotional homecoming, can impact the final outcome.
If Ball does come through with flying colours, unification contests look to be on the cards in 2025.
Ball has already met WBC title holder Rey Vargas, but was held to a controversial draw by the Mexican in March.
Angelo Leo holds the IBF belt and Rafael Espinoza is the WBO champion.
Will Ball call out any of those three if he lands a victory tonight?