Nick Ball is ready for a homecoming fight to remember when the Liverpool-born fighter defends the WBA featherweight title against Ronny Rios on October 5. The 12-round bout, plus undercard action, will air on ESPN+ in the U.S.
WATCH Nick Ball vs. Ronny Rios live on ESPN+
Ball (20-0-1) has gone on quite the three-fight streak over the last year. He beat Isaac Dogboe and held Rey Vargas to a controversial draw in a WBC featherweight title fight. Despite falling short against Vargas, he took on WBA champ Raymond Ford during a 5 v. 5 Queensberry vs. Matchroom event and prevailed on points.
The favorite for the first time in a while, the still-hungry Ball looks to hold onto gold while showcasing his skills in front of family and friends.
"I haven't worked this hard my whole life to get to this point and let someone take that from me now. It's definitely not going to be happening… He's just another opponent, to be honest," said Ball via Boxing Scene. "He's a fighter coming over – which I respect – to try and take my world title from me.
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"It's an opportunity for him, so he's going to be trying to take it with both hands, but that's not going to be happening when you're facing me."
A National Golden Gloves and two-time U.S. National bantamweight champion, Rios (34-4) competes in his third world title fight. He lost against Vargas in 2017 for the WBC super bantamweight title and Murodjon Akhmadaliev in 2022 for the IBF belt. His last fight was in April following a two-year layoff.
Local gold is on the line on the undercard, while several young prospects are ready to impress.
Nick Ball vs. Ronny Rios undercard
Here's a breakdown of all the action on the Ball vs. Rios card.
Jack Rafferty vs. Henry Turner
- Division/Weight: Super Lightweight
- Rafferty record: 23-0
- Turner record: 13-0
- Belts at stake: British and Commonwealth
The co-feature will see Jack Rafferty vs. Henry Turner for the British and Commonwealth super lightweight titles.
Rafferty (23-0) won the Commonwealth super lightweight belt in December against Lee Appleyard. "Demolition Man" has 14 wins via knockout.
A European and seven-time National Champion, Turner (13-0) has five wins via knockout. The Hammersmith-born fighter looks to go 2-0 in 2024.
Andrew Cain vs. Lazaro Casseres
- Division/Weight: Bantamweight
- Cain record: 12-1
- Casseres record: 11-1
- Belts at stake: N/A
Andrew Cain faces Lazaro Casseres.
A four-time National Champion, Cain (12-1) is 2-0 in 2024, winning the British and Commonwealth bantamweight titles in July against Ashley Lane. The 28-year-old has eleven wins via knockout.
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Casseres (11-1) competes outside Colombia for the first time. The 27-year-old has won two straight via knockout, both in 2024.
Jadier Herrera vs. Oliver Flores
- Division/Weight: Lightweight
- Herrera record: 15-0
- Flores record: 31-5-2
- Belts at stake: N/A
Jadier Herrera faces Oliver Flores.
Herrera (15-0) has thirteen wins via knockout. The 22-year-old Cuban sensation has quickly impressed in the ring and looks to go 4-0 in 2024.
Flores (31-5-2) has only competed for local gold in his career. The Nicaraguan fighter hasn't won consecutive contests since 2019 and is 2-2 in his last four fights. He has 20 wins via knockout.
James McGivern vs. Reuquen Cona Facundo Arce
- Division/Weight: Lightweight
- McGivern record: 9-0
- Arce record: 17-16-2
- Belts at stake: N/A
Further down the card is James McGivern vs. Reuquen Cona Facundo Arce.
A two-time gold medalist at the amateur level, including a medal in the Commonwealth Games, McGivern (9-0) has three wins via knockout. The Belfast-born fighter looks to go 2-0 in 2024.
Arce (17-16-2) is on a five-fight losing streak, with three losses coming in 2024. The Argentinian has seven wins via knockout.
Brad Strand vs. Marvin Solano
- Division/Weight: Super Bantamweight
- Strand record: 11-1
- Solano record: 24-19
- Belts at stake: N/A
Brad Strand faces Marvin Solano.
A multi-time National Champion, Strand (11-1) has three wins via knockout. Residing in Liverpool, the 27-year-old looks to bounce back after failing to capture British and Commonwealth super bantamweight gold in his last outing.
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Solano (24-19) is on a thirteen-fight losing streak, with eight straight losses via points decisions. His last win was in 2021.
Jack Turner vs. Gonzalo Corinaldesi
- Division/Weight: Bantamweight
- Turner record: 8-0
- Corinaldesi record: 5-6-1
- Belts at stake: N/A
Jack Turner faces Gonzalo Corinaldesi.
Turner (8-0) has gone 5-0 in 2024, with only one fight going the distance. "El Terrier" competes one month after besting Vikram Singh Jestha in Dubai.
Corinaldesi (5-6-1) is 2-2 in his last four fights. "El Polaco" looks for his first win of 2024 after losing in April.
Nelson Birchall vs. Mark Butler
- Division/Weight: Super Featherweight
- Birchall record: 5-0
- Butler record: 3-12
- Belts at stake: N/A
Nelson Birchall faces Mark Butler.
A seven-time National Champion and a world bronze medalist, Birchall (5-0) has gone 4-0 in 2024 after turning pro a year ago. The 20-year-old has two wins via knockout.
Butler (3-12) won his first fight since 2019 in June and ended a twelve-fight losing streak.
Boma Brown vs. Amine Boucetta
- Division/Weight: Heavyweight
- Brown record: 4-0
- Boucetta record: 8-16
- Belts at stake: N/A
Finally, Boma Brown faces Amine Boucetta.
The Wembley-born Brown (4-0) looks to go 3-0 in 2024.
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Boucetta (8-16) is on a seven-fight losing streak and is 1-7 in 2024. The Belgian hasn't won consecutive contests since 2018.
Nick Ball vs. Ronny Rios tune-in info
- Date: Saturday, October 5
- Time: 2 p.m. ET | 11 a.m. PT | 7 p.m. BST | 4 a.m. AEST
- Main event start time (approx.): 5:30 p.m. ET | 2:30 p.m. PT | 10:30 p.m. BST | 7:30 a.m. AEST
- Location: M&S Bank Arena - Liverpool, England
- How to watch:
- U.K.: TNT Sports (￡3.99/month or ￡39.99/year via discovery+)
