On Saturday in Liverpool, England, Nick Ball defends his WBA featherweight world title against Ronny Rios at Echo Arena (ESPN+, 2 p.m. ET).

Ball (20-0-1, 11 KO) from Liverpool fought for the WBC featherweight title against Ray Vargas in March, but the fight ended in a draw. Three months later, on June 1, Ball defeated Raymond Ford by split decision to win the WBA belt. He will have his first defense against Rios.

Rios (34-4, 17 KO), of Compton, California, has fought for the junior featherweight title twice, losing both to Vargas in 2017 and Murodjon Akhmadaliev in 2022. He defeats Nicolas Polanco by KO in the fifth round. April.

Where can I watch the Ball vs. fight card? Rios?

Ball vs. fight card Rios will air Saturday on ESPN+ at 2 p.m. ET.

Watch: Download the ESPN App | WatchESPN | TV

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How to broadcast fights?

The fights will be broadcast on mobile devices using the ESPN application.

Full Ball vs. Rios fight card:

• Title fight: Nick Ball vs. Ronny Rios, 12 rounds, for Ball’s WBA featherweight title

• Jack Rafferty vs. Henry Turner, 12 rounds, for the British junior welterweight title

• Jack Turner vs. Gonzalo Corinaldesi, 6 rounds, bantamweight

• Jadier Herrera vs. Oliver Flores, 10 rounds, lightweight

• Walter Fury vs. Dale Arrowsmith, 4 rounds, junior middleweight

• Andrew Cain vs. Lazaro Casseres, 12 rounds, bantamweight

• Joe Cooper vs. Łukasz Barabasz, 4 rounds, middleweight

Alimkhanuly stops Mikhailovich and defends his IBF middleweight title

Janibek Alimkhanuly defended his IBF middleweight title with a ninth-round TKO victory over Andrei Mikhailovich on Friday at The Star Sydney in Pyrmont, Australia.

The fight ended after Alimkhanuly landed two consecutive left uppercuts that caused Mikhailovich to stumble backwards, forcing referee Katsuhiko Nakamura to stop the fight at 2:45 minutes into the round.

Alimkhanuly hurt Mikhailovich with the same punch in round 2 and scored a knockdown at the bell, but Mikhailovich recovered. From there, it was only a matter of time before Alimkhanuly separated himself and struck frequently with his left hand under Mikhailovich’s pressure.

After the fight, Alimkhanuly said he would like to unify the titles with the other two champions.

“I have two titles and [other] two titles are missing,” Alimkhanuly said. “Each of them [Carlos] Adames or [Erislandy] Lara, I’m ready. Anytime and whenever, send me the paper. I will send it anytime.”

The fight was originally scheduled for July 13 in Las Vegas, but two days before that date, Alimkhanuly fainted while trying to gain weight and was taken to the hospital, where he was forced to withdraw due to severe dehydration.

Alimkhanuly (16-0, 11 KO), from Zhilanda, Kazakhstan but currently living and training in Oxnard, California, won the WBO middleweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Denzel Bentley in November 2022. He made one defense in May 2023. , a second-round KO of Steve Butler, before dropping Vincenzo Gualtieri in six rounds last October to add the IBF title. The WBO title was not at risk in the fight against Mikhailovich.

Mikhailovich (21-1, 13 KO) is a weighty puncher with long arms (74½ inches) from Auckland, Recent Zealand. He won seven of his last eight fights by stoppage before losing to Alimkhanuly.

Mikhailovich was born in Russia, but after being adopted, he and his brother moved to Recent Zealand.

Where can I watch a replay of the Alimkhanuly vs. fight? Mikhailovich?

Alimkhanuly vs. fight card replay Mikhailovich can be streamed on ESPN+.

Watch: Download the ESPN App | WatchESPN | TV

Don’t have ESPN? Find out how to get instant access today: ESPNInstantAccess.com

Alimkhanuly vs. fight card results Mikhailovich:

• Title fight: Janibek Alimkhanuly defeated Andrei Mikhailovich by KO in the ninth round to defend his IBF middleweight title

• Mea Motu defeated Shannon O’Connell via TKO4 in a women’s featherweight bout

• Charlie Kazzi defeated Lui Magaiva via TKO7 in a lightweight fight

• Ahmed Reda defeated Joe Kara by TKO 2 in a lightweight fight

Top stories:

ANTHONY Yarde, one of British boxing’s forgotten men, returns to the ring on October 19 at the Copper Box Arena. The Hackney native was last seen beating up Marko Nikolic at the same venue in February. However, he has not faced a legal test since his hard-fought match against Artur Beterbiev in January 2023.

Rumors of a fight with Joshua Buatsi have been circulating for months, but nothing has happened yet. Now Yarde returns on Boxxer, supporting headliner Adam Azim-Ohara Davies. No opponent has yet been scheduled for the 33-year-old lithe heavyweight, who has a record of 25-3 (24 KOs).

Much of Yarde’s inaction stems from his desire to end his fruitful relationship with Frank Warren and try his luck elsewhere. With the likes of Buatsi, Craig Richards and Willy Hutchinson all in contention for the season in Riyad, that seems to be where the action is.

Currently ranked high in the WBO rankings (175), two of Yarde’s three losses came in good company as he was stopped by Sergei Kovalev and Artur Beterbiev. Lyndon Arthur suffered a points defeat in 2020, which Yarde avenged a year later by knockout. The Copper Box has become something of a spiritual home for Anthony, who has boxed there seven times as a professional.

Other boxers scheduled to appear at the October 19 event include Michael McKinson fighting for the IBO title, Dan Azeez, Jeamie Tshikeva in a good domestic heavyweight fight, Fran Hennessy and Shannon Courtenay.

Terence Crawford faced hefty criticism from the promoter of one of his rivals for winning the WBO title, and WBC champion Sebastian Fundora was knocked out in sparring.

The pound-for-pound king commented on the situation in a video posted this week. Crawford told Bernie the Boxer: “If Fundora is licking his chops after my performance against Israil Madrimov, then I should be licking my chops because Madrimov knocked out Fundora in sparring.”

According to Fundora’s promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz, the claims cannot be substantiated. Sampson stated that Fundora’s coach spoke with Madrimov’s coach, Joel Diaz, about Terrance Crawford’s viral statement. During Coach Diaz’s conversation with Coach Fundora, Diaz mentioned that Madrimov’s manager, Vadim Kornilov, was very concerned about false statements Crawford made during a sparring session that took place over five years ago, during which neither of them even touched the canvas.

Sampson added: “Per Madrimov and his entire team have stated that they have nothing but respect for Sebastian Fundora and his entire team and do not disregard lies and disrespect. Coach Fundora responded that “Team Diaz,” Madrimov’s coaching team, is family to him. Everyone has known each other from the Coachella Valley since childhood.

It noted: “The boxing community in the Coachella Valley is extremely tight-knit. We all respect each other for the work we put into our boxers. Coaching etiquette is an unwavering rule that we all follow. There are many ways to fight professionally without fabrication and frustration. Let me repeat: Madrimov and his team are God-fearing people and it is very unlikely that they would ever speak ill of Sebastian Fundora, his sparring sessions and the team. No amount of facts or truth will convince a simpleton that he is wrong.

Lewkowicz urged Crawford to step in and admit he was wrong.

“Terence Crawford should apologize for his naivety,” Lewkowicz said. “A great master like him should be above this kind of childishness.”

The bad blood that exists between both camps could intensify a planned bidding war between Fundora and Crawford for a potential unification of the WBA, WBO and WBC titles.

Crawford was expected to walk away from the auction scheduled for October 10 and take the rest of the year off. This scenario would allow Fundora to face Errol Spence. But since Lewkowicz said, “There’s no need for a champion like Crawford to engage in school gossip,” the multi-tasking champion may believe he has something to prove.

Lewkowicz concluded by saying that it is likely that there will be a Crawford vs. Fundora fight.

“The fight will already take place. Trying to ridicule the unified world champion by spreading stupid rumors is bad business for Crawford. You are 37 years senior. Instead, devote your time to training. You’ll need it.