Nick Ball vs Ronny Rios: Fight Odds and Stats

On October 6 in Liverpool, UK, WBA featherweight champion (up to 57.2 kg) Nick Ball will defend his title against American challenger Ronny Rios.

Key Stats for the British Champ’s Home Defense – from Ready to Fight

Nick Ball

United Kingdom

Age: 27

Weight Class: Featherweight (up to 57.2 kg)

Height: 157 cm

Reach: Unknown

Stance: Orthodox

Record: 27 wins, 11 by KO, 0 losses, 1 draw

KO percentage: 55%

Total career rounds: 114

Recent Fights:

- Split decision win (SD 12) over Raymond Ford

- Split draw (D-SD 12) with Rey Vargas

- Unanimous decision win (UD 12) over Isaac Dogboe

- TKO win in the 12th round over Ludumo Lamati

- TKO win in the 2nd round over Jesus Ramirez Rubio

Total rounds in last 5 fights: 50

Average rounds per fight: 10

Longest and shortest fights in recent bouts: Longest – 12 rounds / Shortest – 2 rounds (TKO win)

Win percentage in recent fights: 80%

KO percentage in recent fights: 40%

Fight frequency in recent years: 1.66 fights per year

Combined record of recent opponents: 117 wins, 5 losses, 5 draws

Best record among recent opponents: Ludumo Lamati (21-0-1 at the time of the fight)

Worst record among recent opponents: Isaac Dogboe (24-3 at the time of the fight)

Ronnie Rios

USA

Age: 34

Weight Class: Featherweight (up to 57.2 kg)

Height: 171 cm

Reach: 170 cm

Stance: Orthodox

Record: 34 wins, 17 by KO, 4 losses

KO percentage: 50%

Total career rounds: 234

Recent Fights:

- KO win in the 5th round over Nicolas Polanco

- TKO loss in the 12th round to Murodjon Akhmadaliev

- Unanimous decision win (UD 10) over Oscar Negrete

- KO win in the 4th round over Gyugo Berrio

- KO win in the 6th round over Diego De La Hoya

Total rounds in last 5 fights: 37

Average rounds per fight: 7.4

Longest and shortest fights in recent bouts: Longest – 12 rounds (TKO loss) / Shortest – 4 rounds (KO win)

Win percentage in recent fights: 80%

KO percentage in recent fights: 75%

Fight frequency in recent years: 1.2 fights per year

Combined record of recent opponents: 99 wins, 14 losses, 4 draws

Best record among recent opponents: Murodjon Akhmadaliev (10-0 at the time of the fight)

Worst record among recent opponents: Nicolas Polanco (21-5-1 at the time of the fight)

Showdown Background

Ball is coming home. The British champ hasn’t fought in the UK since 2023 when he took a decision win over Isaac Dogboe.

Since then, Ball has been a part of the Riyadh Season tournaments, with mixed results. In his bout against Rey Vargas, he was clearly the better fighter, keeping the pressure on and not letting Vargas breathe. However, the judges ruled it a draw. The Raymond Ford fight was a closer call, but this time the judges gave Ball the nod.

No matter the details, it’s been a fantastic year for Ball. He claimed the belt, fought on two major cards in Saudi Arabia, and now he’s set to fight at home in Liverpool.

Ronnie Rios has never fought in Liverpool. In fact, he’s never fought in the UK. The American hasn’t stepped into the ring outside of the US at all.

Questions remain about Rios’s title shot. He hasn’t fought from 2022 to 2024, with his last bout ending in a 12th-round TKO loss to Akhmadaliev. His return came with a win over mid-level fighter Polanco, which somehow earned him this title shot.

Nonetheless, Rios is the bigger man, and Ball will have to find a way inside, apply pressure, and stay active if he wants to keep his title. Otherwise, a successful defense might slip away.

Key Facts Before the Fight:

- Rios is significantly taller than the champ. The height difference between him and Ball is 14 centimeters.

- Ball is no stranger to taller opponents. Raymond Ford is 170 cm, Rey Vargas is 172 cm, and Ludumo Lamati is 173 cm. So, Rios (171 cm) fits the usual range for Nick. The closest to him in height among recent opponents was Isaac Dogboe, who is 163 cm tall. Ball stands at 157 cm.

- This will be Nick Ball’s eighth fight in Liverpool. He hasn’t fought at home since 2019.

- Ball has won five fights in Liverpool by stoppage and another four by decision.

- Rios has the shortest reach (170 cm) among Ball’s recent opponents. Raymond Ford has a 175 cm reach, and Rey Vargas stretches to 179 cm.