RIOS GOT WRECKED: Nick 'Wrecking' Ball crushes Rios with destructive display in Liverpool!

Nick Ball is a great fighter to watch, and at the Echo Arena in Liverpool it was no different. Defending his newly acquired world title for the very first time in his hometown, Ball wanted to make a statement to the featherweight division. He did exactly that against tough challenger Ronny Rios. Rios showed great heart and tenacity, but wasn't enough to stop the wrecking Ball on his way to a Round 8 KO. Sky is the limit for arguably the most entertaining fighter in the country, but who is next for the champ?

---

What a year its been for Nicky Ball. It was in March that Ball narrowly missed out on winning a world title after his draw with Rey Vargas in Riyadh, a fight many thought he comfortably won. Ball got another shot at world title in Riyadh, as part of the Queensbury-Matchroom 5 v 5. On June 1, Ball secured his first world title in a great fight against talented Raymond Ford.

Ball was looking to put the Featherweight division on notice, in what would be his first defence of the title. A homecoming fight in Liverpool was only right for a man who raised his profile in the Middle East. American Ronny Rios was selected as the opponent, having just won by 5th round KO against Nicolas Polanco. Rios was challenging for a world title for the second time, like Ball in his last fight, and made sure the champion new this would not be an easy test.

The fight immediately mirrored what you're likely to see in most Nick Ball fights, and that's all action! Nonstop punches from the start, Ball utilised his hand speed well. The hand speed of Nick Ball is arguably his best attribute and was on display as he put together spiteful combinations with ease. Although Ball may not have one punch knockout power, he is still capable of hurting and stopping his opponent. This was seen early in Round 3, as Ball landed a flurry of punches that ended in a short left hand, sending Rios to the canvas. It was painful round for Ronny Rios, who was set to face a few more tough rounds.

As the fight entered the middle rounds, it started to become a lot more competitive. Rios remained resilient in his attempts to respond, but was still taking too much damage from the relentless wrecking Ball. In Round 7, Ball applied more pressure in another onslaught and dropped Rios once again. Rios beat the count and did not believe he was knocked down. Ball still did not let up. As the fight entered Round 10, it was looking more like a one way battle. Ball backed Rios into a corner and unleashed a ruthless combination. The beat down was so brutal it sent Rios tumbling through the ropes. Rios showed incredible heart to roll back into the ring and beat the count, but his corner spared him from any more damage and threw in the towel. #AndStill WBA Featherweight World Champion. Nick 'The Wrecking' Ball.