Nick Ball’s goal is a rematch with Rey Vargas and a future fight with Naoya Inoue after successfully defending his WBA featherweight title against Ronny Rios.

Ball defended his title for the first time and made his first appearance in his hometown of Liverpool in over four years. His growing support must have been watched from afar with his last two fights in Saudi Arabia – a controversial draw with WBC champion Vargas, after which Ball won the belt by defeating Raymond Ford.

His devoted supporters turned out in their thousands at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool to support one of their own. The 27-year-old couldn’t believe the reception he received after his first fight in the city’s iconic place, and he had previously boxed in nightclubs and halls in other parts of the city.

“It didn’t even register with me,” Ball told BoxingScene. “It’s crazy to think how far I’ve come. I always dreamed about it, knowing it would happen. With the right support, the right team around me and the right promoter – Team Queensberry. They managed to achieve this and bring boxing back to Liverpool. Huge night and I can’t thank them enough.

“This is the beginning of something novel. I’m world champion, but I’m going back to boxing in Liverpool at the M&S Bank Arena – that’s where everyone wants to come. I feel this is just the beginning; there are still many nights ahead of us.”

Ball’s homecoming was a huge success as he put in an action-packed performance against the 34-year-old Rios and battled through a broken nose, dropping him twice before finally stopping him in the 10th round.

“I always knew I hurt him,” Ball continued. “I saw in his eyes that he was devastated, he was getting up from the stool, exhausted. So I knew I just had to keep it, but at the same time take my time; stay on. He was threatening there sometimes. I knew I would get there, but it was only a matter of time and it finally came.

“I was getting hit harder, but he landed pristine right hands and jabbed me with something I shouldn’t have been hit with – as you can see by my nose. This is boxing, right? You learn from every fight, and I definitely learned something from it. So I’ll take that into consideration for the next fight.”

Ball had his sights set firmly on Rios, but that changed after the fight when he mentioned a rematch with Vargas and a fight with undisputed super bantamweight champion Inoue as potential options.

“I need a chance at Vargas because that’s my belt,” he said. “I should have it on the other shoulder, but it’s coming. Everything happens for a reason, so time will tell.

“[And] everyone talks about the name Inoue, right? He is a super bantamweight – there is no super bantamweight challenging him. But of course, if he comes to my weight, I will show him who this man is at this weight. Of course I will fight him 100 percent. He’s a top-class fighter and everyone says we’re fighting, so of course I’ll do it.”

Earlier this week, Ball visited Liverpool Football Club’s iconic Anfield to promote his date with Rios.

“[Fighting there] it would be a higher level,” Ball said. “I was there this week for a Champions League match [against Bologna] with dad and it was a special evening. I told him, “Imagine me fighting here, I will make it happen,” and I hope one day it will happen.

NICK Ball finally overcame resistance from WBA featherweight title challenger Ronny Rios at the Echo Arena in Liverpool. Rios’ main cornerman stepped onto the ring apron, waved a towel, and pulled his fighter out of harm’s way at 2-06 of round 10.

Ball ran out of the blocks, firing large shots with both hands. Taller and bigger, Rios tried to crouch and trade, but the difference in firepower was immediately apparent as Ronny went down on the ropes in the second round. Ball left that session with a bloody nose, so Rios must have hit on something noteworthy.

The beating continued into the third period when Rios hit the canvas following an attack by Ball. He stood up and nodded to referee Bob Williams that he was ready for more punishment. Ball responded with an attack that seemed to last the rest of the round.

Rios had the better fifth, landing left hooks to the body and peppering Ball’s gushing nostrils as the Liverpool man took a breather. Rios was trailing in round seven, but dropped the decision when Ball caught his second wind and began throwing uppercuts, switching several positions for good measure. Rios, who later dropped to 34-5 (17 KO), finally collapsed in the 10th round as he was dragged through the ropes and stretched out.

“To be straightforward, I think I got a little carried away by the audience; I took a few too many shots,” said Ball, who improved his record to 21-0-1 (12 KOs).

“He’s a tough man, he’s back and I respect him. My nose always falls off, it’s boxing and there will always be nosebleeds.

Ball holds one of the four belts, and names like Rey Vargas and Naoya Inoue were later mentioned. A reunion appears to be on the cards, as is the long-held dream of fighting at Anfield.

Match results Nick Ball vs. Ronny Rios Undercard

Earlier in the evening, Jack Rafferty had lost most of the boxing match, but won the war, forcing Henry Turner to retire after the ninth round. Southpaw Turner was boxing well until he endured a heated ninth round of abuse that ultimately saw him fall to the canvas and finish the count with blood spilling from his nose. Between rounds, with Turner’s head spinning in despair, Alan Smith alerted referee Ron Kearney that the fight had to end.

Jack Turner knocked out Gonzalo Corinaldesi in the first round of a scheduled six-round match. Cuban talent Jadier Herrera needed a few rounds to loosen up before a left hand to the body of Oliver Flores knocked the Nicaraguan off balance.

Andrew Cain crushed Lazaro Casseres in the second round. Joe Cooper started the televised part of the gala with a powerful points victory over Łukasz Barabasz. Walter Fury outpointed Dale Arrowsmith in four rounds.

Previous winners included James McGivern, Lucas Biswana, Nelson Birchall, Brad Strand and Boma Brown.