Ball vs Rios: Big-fight predictions from Anthony Crolla, Natasha Jonas and more
Former lightweight world champion Anthony Crolla: “I think Ball has a strong claim to being the best active fighter in Britain right now. His draw against Rey Vargas should have been a win and he beat a world-class fighter in Raymond Ford.
“Ball is on a roll and has been superbly promoted. I see him being a little bit too strong for Rios and I believe he will get to him between rounds seven to nine.
Heavyweight Frazer Clarke: “I don’t know much about Rios but I back the exciting Nick Ball. With the crest of the wave he is on, I’m a massive fan of his.”
Welterweight world champion Natasha Jonas: “I think Ball wins. You try and play it down that it’s just another fight but the reality is that you’re in your home city as champion. All your friends and family will be there and you want to perform in front of them. As much as you don’t want to put pressure on yourself, there is pressure.
“But as long as he does what Nick Ball does then he will have no problems in securing a great win and homecoming. I don’t think Frank Warren would put him in a sticky situation where he could be toppled.”
Former light-middleweight champion Hannah Rankin: “On paper this is a tough homecoming for Ball. Rios has a very good record and a 50% knockout rate. However he’s only had one fight in the last two and a half years so hasn’t been very active, unlike Ball who’s about to have his third fight this year and is flying high on momentum.
“So I’m going with Ball on points or a late stoppage. I think he’ll have a tough task early on but his youth and recent activity will allow him to come on strong in the later half of the fight to dominate.”
