Nick Ball vs. Ronny Rios: Live round-by-round updates

Nick Ball looks to defend his WBA featherweight world title for the first time in a homecoming main event against Ronny Rios.

In June, Ball challenged Ray Ford for the latter's WBA featherweight world title. The highly-entertaining boxers went to war for twelve rounds, with Ball emerging victorious by split decision during the 5 vs. 5: Queensbury vs. Matchroom event.

Four months later, Ball will headline an event in his hometown of Liverpool, England to defend his title. The 27-year-old is expected to receive a massive ovation from the English crowd, as he's solidified himself as a fan favorite over his last three fights against Isaac Dogboe, Rey Vargas, and Ray Ford.

Ronny Rios plans to play spoiler on Saturday, Oct. 4, and dethrone Ball of his world title. The 34-year-old American holds a professional boxing record of 34-4 (17 KOs), including a fifth-round knockout win against Nicolas Polanco in April.

The primary fights for the Nick Ball vs. Ronny Rios event start at 11:00 a.m. PT / 1:00 p.m. CT / 2:00 p.m. ET. The WBA featherweight world title main event is expected to start roughly three-and-a-half hours later, which could change depending on the pacing of the other fights.

Follow along with Sportskeeda for live updates of the WBA featherweight world title showdown between Ball and Rios.

Watch the final faceoff between Ball and Rios before their showdown on Saturday below:

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Nick Ball vs. Ronny Rios

Round 1:

Nick Ball vs. Ronny Rios is underway. Ball wastes no time throwing a massive left hook. Ball is already charging forward with his jab. Ball finds a home for an overhand right. Rios goes down to the body with a straight punch.

Ball unloads a flurry of jabs and follows with a straight right. Rios commits to the body with two punches. Rios stays against the ropes for a little too long and Ball makes him pay. Rios needs to earn some respect.

Rios fires off several jabs. Ball counters with a flurry of punches. Ball's variety of punches has been impressive. Rios continues committing to the body. Ball lands beautifully on the inside. Rios attempts to push Ball back with straight punches.

Rios is finding some success, but the volume of Ball is causing problems.

Round 2:

Nick Ball stays standing in between rounds. Ball charges forward with four or five power punches. Ball barely misses a devastating overhand right. Ronny Rios needs to change the momentum or it's only a matter of time before he loses by knockout.

Ball is starting to bully Rios. Ball is unloading all types of punches to start this round. Rios' body punches have been his best work thus far. Rios lands a heavy body punch to temporarily slow down Ball.

Rios comes in with three hooks up the middle. Ball pushes Rios against the ropes. Ball might smell blood in the water. Ball's nose is bleeding. Ball pushes forward and continues unloading power punches on Rios. Rios needs to increase his movement because the volume of Ball is a problem.

Round 3:

Nick Ball lets his hands go with seven or eight punches. Ball overwhelms Ronny Rios before the latter fires back to slow down his opponent. Ball lands a massive left hook to drop Rios. The fight continues. Ball throws out four or five straight uppercuts. Rios is in trouble. Ball is teeing off on him against the ropes.

Rios fires back with several body punches. The referee is keeping a close eye on Ball's barrages. Ball lands a massive left hook. Ball follows up with several more punches. Rios fires back to keep the referee from stepping in.

Ball pushes Rios back. Ball continues to unload many power punches. Rios is somehow still standing. Ball is unloading on Rios, and the referee is close to steeping in. Rios can't escape the corner. The round ends and Ball used A LOT of energy.

Round 4:

Ronny Rios needs to show something big here or he won't make the fifth round. Nick Ball comes out with the same aggressiveness. Rios fires back with another body punch. Ball stumbles Rios with a big left hook. Everything is working for Ball.

Rios continues to showcase his warrior spirit. The fighters continue to engage in an entertaining fire-fight. Ball fires off a heavy combination while Rios is against the ropes. Rios is absorbing a concerning amount of damage.

Ball pushes Rios into the corner. Rios isn't backing down. Ball takes the round, but Rios isn't done fighting yet.

Round 5:

Ronny Rios hasn't stopped throwing punches to Nick Ball's body, trying to slow him down. Ball isn't slowing down at all. Ball's combinations are absolutely battering Rios. Ball's nose is starting to bleed more than before. Ball has slightly slowed down, giving Rios an opportunity to throw some punches back.

Rios is slightly gaining momentum. Ball's face is surprisingly starting to look like a mess. Ball is firing off combinations, but Rios is finding the target with more straight punches. Ball could be preserving his energy temporarily.

Round 6:

Ronny Rios is undoubtedly still in this fight. Nick Ball starts taking back the momentum with his variety of looping and straight punches. Rios' body work tonight has been phenomenal. Ball's combinations are leading to success on the third or fourth punch. Rios goes down to the body for several more punches.

Ball sneaks in an uppercut while Rios was against the ropes. Rios finds a home for a straight right. Ball pushes him back with a few bombs. Balls finds a home for a big right hand. This fight has turned into an absolute war.

The bleeding from Ball's nose is becoming a factor. Ball chases down Rios and takes another round with his superior power.

Round 7:

Nick Ball fires off several hooks to start the round. Ronny Rios comes over the top with a right hand. Rios goes down with a left hook. Rios argues that he slipped, but the referee doesn't agree. Ball is firing off power punches to hunt down the finish.

Rios could be fading here. Rios is sitting against the ropes too long. Rios throws out two body punches to stop the referee from stepping in. Ball smells blood in the water. The referee is keeping a close eye on Rios.

Ball's combinations are proving too much for Rios once again. Ball's right eye is showing swelling underneath. Rios throws a combination that doesn't stop Ball from moving forward. Ball lands another massive left hook. Ball lands an uppercut and follows up with a barrage of punches to end the round.

Round 8:

Ronny Rios opens with a body punch that was slightly low. Nick Ball is establishing his jab again to set up his power punches. The commentators are right - the only chance for Rios at this point is for Ball to gas out.

Rios unloads a solid five-punch combination featuring two body punches. Ball slows down for a minute to catch his breath. Rios refuses to give up on himself. Ball finds the target with an uppercut during a combination. Rios temporarily finds success while Ball was on the ropes. Ball reverses the position to end the round.

Round 9:

Nick Ball opens the round with separate hooks that find the target. Ronny Rios pushes back with a straight body punch. Rios has stayed committed to his body punches, but Ball doesn't seem to be slowing down at all.

Rios lands a solid right hand. Ball fires back with another heavy combination. Ball takes a deep breath before throwing out a four-punch combination. Ball lands three consecutive uppercuts. Ball pushes Rios against the ropes before the referee steps in.

Ball lands another big uppercut to send back Rios' head. Ball whiffs on a right hand to end the round.

Round 10:

Nick Ball opens the round with a four-punch combination. Ball continues pushing forward and throwing out a variety of power punches. Ball refuses to let Ronny Rios gain any momentum by overwhelming him with combinations.

Rios seems to be running out of gas, especially considering Ball's pressure. Rios gets trapped in the corner, and Ball unloads a barrage of punches. Ball unloads a nasty combination and Rios falls out of the ring. The corner throws in the towel. Ball has done it again. This one is all over.

Official Result: Nick Ball def. Ronny Rios by TKO (corner stoppage). Round 10, 2:06