Ball makes weight for homecoming world title defence

World champion Nick Ball and challenger Ronny Rios both successfully made weight for Saturday's WBA featherweight title contest in Liverpool.

Ball, 27, will defend his belt in front of a home crowd at the M&S Bank Arena.

He tipped the scales at 8st 13lb, with American Rios just a fraction heavier at 9st.

The BBC will bring you radio commentary and live text commentary from 20:00 BST on Radio 5 Sports Extra, before switching to Radio 5 Live at 22:00.

Friday's weigh-in kept up the theme of a respectful and low-key fight week.

Rios, 34, was first to look away after the obligatory face-off before Ball darted off the stage without a handshake.

Ball - who lives a stone's throw away from the fight venue - will compete in his home city for the first time since February 2020.

He won his maiden world title with a close points victory over Raymond Ford in June.

The only blemish on Ball's record is a controversial draw against WBC title holder Rey Vargas in March, a fight many thought the Briton clearly won.

Rios has lost four times in 38 bouts, but has competed just twice since 2021.

BBC Sport's Kal Sajad

The 5ft 2in 'Wrecking Ball' has the world at his feet. He has quickly become the fighting pride of Liverpool, following in the footsteps of John Conteh, Tony Bellew and Natasha Jonas.

Ball was unfortunate not to be awarded the win against Vargas but showed his drive and resilience to edge a decision over the talented Ford.

On paper, he should beat Rios and make it a homecoming to remember, but the M&S Bank Arena will be worlds away from his past two fights in Saudi Arabia.

A lot will depend on how Ball handles the noise of a raucous crowd and pressure of fighting in front of his friends, family and fellow Liverpudlians.

He has come a long way since the days of desperately trying to sell tickets for small hall fights in nightclubs and sport centres.