NICK Ball headlines in Liverpool’s Echo Arena on Saturday night, making the first defence of his WBA featherweight title. American Ronny Rios arrives as the title challenger. ‘Wrecking’ Ball has become somewhat of a fan favourite, given his explosive punching style and ability to apply pressure.
Ball’s brawl with Ray Ford was a classic back-and-forth encounter that he won by narrow split decision in Riyadh. Rios is a competent competitor but has been stopped in three of his four losses and will stand there to be hit. Therefore, it’s hard to look past a Ball stoppage, possibly following a bit of a shootout.
It’s going to be a tough ask for Ronny, who has been a career 122-pound fighter and was absent from the ring for almost two years before a fifth-round stoppage of Nicolas Polanco in April.
It’s hard to make any kind of case for Rios to last the distance, let alone win the contest. He did cause a mini upset in 2019, manhandling 21-0 prospect Diego De La Hoya in six rounds. But when facing the better guys, he has struggled badly.
The pair have a common opponent. Two fights ago, Ball drew with Rey Vargas, while Rios lost a unanimous decision to Vargas in 2017. Following every setback, Rios has always found a path back to world class, but he’s never been able to win there.
Boxing News Betting Tips
Nick Ball to Win by KO/TKO in Rounds 5-8 @ 13/8
Nick Ball to Win Fight/Under 7.5 Rounds @ 5/6
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