Nick Ball vs Ronny Rios predictions, odds and boxing betting tips: Clear favourite Ball may need the judges

Where to watch Nick Ball vs Ronny Rios

Ball vs Rios is live on TNT Sports 2, coverage starts at 7pm on Saturday

Nick Ball vs Ronny Rios ring-walk time

The ring walks for the main event are TBC but are expected to take place at around 10pm.

Best bets for Nick Ball vs Ronny Rios

Nick Ball to win by decision or technical decision
1pt 15-4 bet365

Nick Ball vs Ronny Rios prediction

Liverpool’s Nick Ball fights in his hometown for the first time in over four years on Saturday as he makes the first defence of his WBA featherweight title against Ronny Rios.

The Wrecking Ball has put together a 20-0-1 record and really should be 21-0, as somehow his bout with Rey Vargas was scored a draw despite Ball recording two knockdowns

Ball should win this fight fairly convincingly but that is reflected in the odds. He is trading at just 1-16 in some places and he’s odds-on to claim a KO or TKO win - but Rios has been underestimated in that regard.

The American has a solid record of his own with 34 wins and four losses in a 38-fight career. Rios has been in the ring with some decent operators - he lost on points to Vargas - and can at least reach the final bell on Merseyside. 

Rios has won five of his last six fights and reached the 12th round against Uzbek knockout specialist Murodjon Akhmadaliev in his one loss during that run, ultimately losing via a late TKO. 

Ball has a reasonable stoppage rate with 11 early finishes in 20 wins but his last three fights have gone the distance and his last four have reached the start of the 12th round, so a points win for the 27-year-old appeals most.

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