Nick Ball v Ronny Rios - Tale of the Tape: Weight, height, reach, trainer & professional boxing records

We analyse the credentials and statistics of Nick Ball and Ronny Ross ahead of their hugely-anticipated WBA featherweight title showdown in Liverpool on Saturday 5th October 2024.

While there are British boxers with a higher public profile than Nick Ball, there are very few, if any, who are more exciting!

The Liverpudlian has the opportunity to showcase his talents in a celebratory homecoming - after consecutive fights in Saudi Arabia - as he defends his WBA featherweight title against Ronny Rios on Saturday 5th October at the M&S Bank Arena.

After a run of five knockout victories, Ball, the odds-on pre-fight favourite, has gone the distance in his last three bouts, but will be looking for an early finish in his home city.

This will likely be Rios’ last world title opportunity if he is unsuccessful, so expect the American to fight like his career depends on it.

But who will prevail?

It's time to take a look at the 'Tale of the Tape'...

Nick Ball v Ronny Rios
Tale of the Tape

	Nick Ball	Ronny Rios
Age:	27	34
Nickname:	'The Wrecking'	N/A
Height:	5ft 2ins	5ft 7.5ins
Reach:	N/A	67ins
Weight:	Featherweight	Featherweight
Trainer:	Paul Stevenson	Jesus Gutierrez
Record:	20-0-1 (11 KOs)	34-4 (17 KOs)
Last Fight:	Won - (SD) v Raymond Ford (June 2024)	Won - (TKO) v Nicolas Polanco (April 2024)

Nick Ball
In Profile

Nick Ball has the most apt nickname in all of boxing: ‘The Wrecking.’

Despite standing at 5ft 2ins tall, the Everton Red Triangle fighter is an imposing figure.

The 27-year-old leaps into his attacks and throws every punch with bad intentions. Ball is not looking to win rounds; his aim is to end the fight.

During the first half of his bout with Rey Vargas, when he challenged for the WBC 122lbs strap, back in March, his gung-ho approach appeared to be misguided.

The Mexican utilised his height, reach and mobility to leave the challenger swinging at fresh air.

The Englishman was undeterred. He did not waver from his game plan, and in the eighth frame, it paid dividends, as he sent the champion to the canvas.

The fight changed instantly; suddenly Vargas could not keep the relentless Ball at bay. A second knockdown followed in the 11th and most observers felt Ball had done enough. The judges disagreed and were unable to split them, deeming the fight to be a draw.

Three months later, Ball returned to world level, taking on Raymond Ford for the WBA belt. This time, he would not be denied.

The fight was enthralling as momentum swung back and forth as both men exchanged hurtful blows. It was close, very close. Having been hard done by earlier in the year, Ball got the rub of the green, prevailing by split decision.

Now, British fight fans get to witness his 100-mile-per-hour style up close.

Don’t blink otherwise you just may miss it.

Strengths:	Weaknesses:
Power in both hands	Launches attacks from too far out
Body shots	Porous defence
Throws punches from unorthodox angles	Unbalanced when attacking
Combination punching	Can be backed up against the ropes

Ronny Rios
In Profile

In boxing, comebacks rarely end well... just ask Ricky Hatton, Mike Tyson or David Haye.

Ronny Rios is attempting to buck the trend.

In June 2022, Rios challenged Murodjon Akhmadaliev for the WBA and IBF super-bantamweight straps. It was a second world title tilt for the Californian, having previously fallen short against Rey Vargas, and he was acutely aware that it could be his last.

Despite the stakes, Rios turned in a flat performance, completely devoid of urgency. The champion was fighting one-handed for the majority of the bout, but the challenger was unwilling, or unable, to go through the gears and force the pace.

Afterwards, Rios reached the conclusion that it was time to hang up the gloves. Inevitably, that decision was reversed.

Often, comebacks are motivated by money, but the 34-year-old insists he is returning for glory, to capture the world title which eluded him over the past 16 years.

While Rios may be best known for his losses, he has amassed some good wins over the course of his career.

The American took the unbeaten records of Jayson Velez and Diego De La Hoya, and holds a victory over Andrew Cancio, who went on to hold the WBA super-featherweight belt.

Having parted company with, long-term trainer, Hector Lopez, Rios looked proficient enough upon his return to the ring, as he halted Nicolas Polanco, in his first bout under the tutelage of Jesus Gutierrez.

However, Nick Ball is not Nicolas Polanco.

The fact that Rios was knocked out by Azat Hovhannisyan, a fighter who throws from unconventional angles, will be a concern to bettors.

If Rios were to win, it would likely rank as the upset of the year.

Strengths:	Weaknesses:
Body shots	Holds his left hand low
Jab	Can be one-paced
Combination punching	Vulnerable to body shots
Use of foot feints	Head falls over the front foot