In front of a home crowd at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, Nick Ball made the first defence of his WBA featherweight title, as he dazzled in breaking down Ronny Rios for a tenth round win.
After knocking Rey Vargas down twice and only getting a draw for his efforts in a shot at the WBC belt in March, Ball then turned in a superb performance in dethroning Ray Ford via split decision to win the WBA crown in June. Rios had failed in two previous world title attempts at super bantamweight, and he was last seen up at featherweight in April, knocking out Nicholas Polanco in five rounds.
Ball (21-0-1, 12 KOs) began in usual, heavy-handed fashion, and after a solid first round, the home favourite upped the ante in round two, switching stances and landing with meaty shots.
The champion simply couldn’t miss, and the start of the third saw the Californian hit the canvas from a volley of blows, and although he beat the count, he was caught in another Ball hurricane on the resumption, somehow seeing out the round.
Rios (34-5, 17 KOs) was constantly under siege, but battled bravely, and Ball’s nose was heavily bloodied at the end of round five.
The 27-year-old had the visitor over again in the seventh, although it looked a contentious knockdown.
His brave challenge came to an end in the tenth when a two-fisted assault put the 34-year-old out of the ring, and as he scrambled to regain his feet, his corner mercifully threw the towel in to signal the end of the fight.
Ball will likely have to face mandatory challenger, Stephen Fulton Jr next, but called for a rematch and now unification clash with Vargas.
“I’ve got one of four [belts],” he told TNT Sports post-fight.
“There’s another three out there.
“I’m coming for them belts.
NICK BALL IS WORLD CLASS! 🥊🏆 #BallRios pic.twitter.com/zhSmTWQyne
— Boxing on TNT Sports (@boxingontnt) October 5, 2024
“That green one [WBC title] will be nice to get, because that should be mine anyway.
“So hopefully get that one.”
Rafferty topples Turner
Jack Rafferty (24-0, KO15) added the vacant British super lightweight title and the WBC International Silver belt to his Commonwealth crown, as he completed a superb comeback win against Henry Turner, whose corner pulled him out of battle at the end of nine rounds.
Turner (13-1, 5 KOs) looked well ahead, but the tide turned in the ninth, as he was dropped after an assault to the body, and having absorbed heavy fire during the session on the whole, Turner’s corner wisely saved their man for another day.
Cain stops Casseres
Andrew Cain (13-1, 12 KOs) picked up the vacant WBC International Silver super bantamweight title, as he took a ruthless second round stoppage win against Lazaro Casseres.
A big right uppercut had the visitor on the deck in the second, and although he beat the count, a sweeping left hook had Casseres (11-2, 4 KOs) wobbling backwards towards the ropes, and referee Victor Loughlin halted the contest.
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Herrera halts Flores
Talented Cuban Jadier Herrera (16-0, 14 KOs) impressed, as he found a stunning third round finish to take care of Oliver Flores and claim the WBA Continental lightweight title.
A sweetly-timed body shot folded Flores (31-6-2, 20 KOs) and the referee dispensed with the count.
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Remaining Undercard
Lightweight James McGivern (10-0, 3 KOs) won all eight rounds against Argentina’s Reuquen Cona Facundo Arce (17-17-2, 7 KOs).
Super bantamweight Brad Strand (12-1, 4 KOs) rebounded from a loss for the British and Commonwealth titles against Dennis McCann last time out by knocking Marvin Solano (24-20, 8 KOs) out in the final round of their scheduled eight round contest.
In six round action, bantamweight Jack Turner (9-0, 8 KOs) wiped out Gonzalo Corinaldesi (5-7-1, 1 KO) inside a round, as he landed a huge left hand that ended matters, and Nelson Birchall (6-0, 3 KOs) took a third round stoppage win in his super featherweight clash with Mark Butler (3-13, 1 KO).
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Heavyweight hope Boma Brown (5-0, 3 KOs) scored an impressive win, as he found an uppercut to flatten Amine Boucetta (8-17) in the final round of six.
In four rounders, Walter Fury (2-0) took every session against the tried and tested Dale Arrowsmith (6-115-5, 1 KO) at super welterweight, with his cousin Tyson Fury watching on from ringside.
And at middleweight, Joe Cooper (2-0) was a 40-37 winner against Lukasz Barabasz (4-14, 2 KOs).
Debutant Lucas Biswana (1-0, KO0) began professional life by taking all four rounds at super lightweight against Jakub Laskowski (4-32-1, 2 KOs).
