Philippines, 26 Jan 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Nick Ball vs. Ronny Rios: Stephen Fulton Awaits


PhilBoxing.com




Nick Ball makes his first title defense against a veteran boxer in Ronny Rios. This main event will be streaming live on ESPN+ in the States in case boxing fans hadn’t heard the recent news. If successful it appears the WBA has named former 122-champ Stephen Fulton as Nick Ball’s mandatory. Ball is the clear favorite with his opponent Rios sitting around +700 to upwards of +920. That said the Liverpool native can’t put the cart before the horse with a huge matchup right around the corner.

Nick Ball is an all-action, aggressive boxer who goes head first into the chest of his opposition. Ball gives away height and reach yet has a way of giving quality fighters fits. Whether you believe Ball deserved his victory over Raymond Ford, Nick outhustled him. To be fair landing and throwing more punches doesn’t automatically equate to a win.

Ball doesn’t have major power but his relentless pressure and punch output along with having plenty of pop makes him a hard out. Three outings ago he scored a unanimous decision over a faded but still game Isaac Dogboe. Ball then had a split-draw to a tactical boxer in Rey Vargas. Nick’s fight with Ford could’ve been scored a draw and many folks thought Raymond had done enough. Hopefully in the future these guys can do it again.

Ronny Rios has losses to Murodjon Akhamadaliev, Azat Hovhannisyan, Rey Vargas and Robison Castellanos. Rios’s best wins were Jayson Velez, Andrew Cancio, and somewhat recently Oscar Negrete. Having been stopped 3 times and now Rios, age 24, a knockout for Nick Ball is on the table. This boxing podcaster doesn’t see a legit path to victory beyond a serious injury for Ball or a punchers chance. No disrespect to Ronny Rios who’s had a fine career as a pro.

This should be what we use to call a fun ‘TV’ scrap because of the styles blending well together. At the end of the day this boxing junkie doesn’t believe Ronny Rios will use his length advantage effectively enough to win 7 or more rounds. Could Rios attempt to box on the outside, sure but the swarming offense of Ball will overwhelm Rios. Good to great two-way action becomes one-sided in the middle rounds.

My Official Prediction is Nick Ball by Unanimous Decision.

PODCAST LINK: http://tobtr.com/12373757

Side Note: On DAZN Randall vs. Figueroa and Rivas vs. Kreps on ESPN Knockout are the most equally matchup fights on paper for the weekend.

Written by Chris Carlson Host/Producer of The Rope A Dope Radio Podcast Available at www.blogtalkradio.com/ropeadoperadio Follow on Twitter @RopeADopeRadio


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Chris Carlson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • OLYMPIC BOXING 8: 1948 OLYMPICS AT LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Mon, 26 Jan 2026
  • Golden Gloves Launches on Meta Quest Store, Establishing the First Official Esports Competition Pathway for Amateur Boxing
    , Mon, 26 Jan 2026
  • Andy Cruz vs Raymond Muratalla: Who Will Execute?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • Libranza to fight undefeated Tso for IBF Pan Pacific bantam
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • Filipino Cue Artist RJ Bautista Ready to Shine at the Las Vegas Open 2026
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • MURATALLA VS. CRUZ WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER
    , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou Fight Week Events to Stream LIVE on Top Rank’s Social Media Channels
    , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • Ballesteros not yet ready against Ocum
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • Chocolatito Gonzalez to undergo shoulder surgery
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • NM Nika finishes Sixth in Czech Republic Blitz chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • The Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo RETURNS! Saturday May 2, 2026 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV
    , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • Donaire back in Cebu
    By Joaquin Henson, , Fri, 23 Jan 2026
  • MURATALLA VS. CRUZ IN LAS VEGAS FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 23 Jan 2026
  • Four Pinoys in line for title shots
    By Joaquin Henson, , Fri, 23 Jan 2026
  • After the meeting in Mexico City, the WBC is ready for 2026
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 23 Jan 2026
  • Former world title challenger Jerry Belmontes Returns to ring at home after nearly a decade in Retirement on January 31 in Texas
    , Fri, 23 Jan 2026
  • SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT RONNY ALVAREZ TRAINING CAMP NOTES
    , Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • STRICKLAND STUNS REYES AS SOUQUET SEALS REDEMPTION | WNT LEGENDS
    , Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • Knicks defeats Nets 120-66 to post largest margin of victory in franchise history
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • Mauricio Sulaiman: "We simply urge Zuffa Boxing to respect and protect boxing and the boxer"
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • January 31: Xander Zayas-Abass Baraou Junior Middleweight Title Unification Showdown to Stream LIVE on Top Rank Classics FAST Channel in the United States
    , Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • Mike Tyson to Launch “Mike Tyson Invitational,” a Three-Day Amateur Boxing Showcase Aimed at Elevating the Future of American Boxing
    , Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • KAIPO GALLEGOS TRAINING CAMP NOTES
    , Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • REYES AND BUSTAMANTE DELIVER HOME-SOIL MASTERCLASS | WNT LEGENDS
    , Wed, 21 Jan 2026
  • Reigning World 10-ball Champion Filipino cue master Jonas Magpantay to see action in Indonesia pool tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 21 Jan 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.