Final points: how Nick Ball became WBA world champion

Written by Eric Armit

In what was widely heralded as the best fight of the night in Riyadh. Nick Ball scored a split decision over Raymond Ford to win the WBA featherweight title.

Just three months after the world title heartbreak of his WBC knockout of Rey Vargas on a draw, the Liverpudlian roared through a bloody nose to defeat the champion who put on a memorable contest. Here's how it went down, each time.

Round 1

The ball was giving 5″ length, and the Ford was very limited in reach. Ball likes to be known as “mini Tyson” and quickly threw himself forward, trying to cut through the ring. He was able to push the southpaw Ford into the ropes and come through with a few body punches. Ford fired a left shot, but Ball quickly got him on the ropes, hooking and drilling Ford with a right to the body.

Score: 10-9 Ball

Round 2

The ball rammed Ford into the ropes and he ducked home hooks and uppercuts. They trade punches, both are on target but Ball has the upper hand. Ball was throwing punches, and at the end of the round, Ford was nailed to the ropes and threw a series of hooks.

Score: 10-9 Ball (20-18)

Round 3

Ford was boxing expertly, dancing away from Ball's lunges, countering him on the way in as he locked him inside. Ball forced Ford to come back with a series of punches, but Ford countered with quick hits to the head and body. Ford was showing a cut under his right eye.

Score: 10-9 Ford (Ball 29-28)

Round 4

The ball hit a couple of points and Ford responded with a left to the body. The ball chased Ford through the ropes and he fired his fists, landing a hard left hook. He continued to let go of his hands and connected with a left hook. Ford was having a hard time but twice Ball was able to rush him to the ropes. Ford was pulling out a straight shot but still working. Will Ford be able to hang on like he did when he won the title against Kholmatov (pictured below)?

Score: 10-9 Ball (39-37 Ball)

Round 5

Ford was trying to stay in the center of the ring and fired quick jabs and straight lefts but Ball's flurry of attacks led him to the ropes and caught fire. Ford was too busy fending off a flurry of punches from Ball to deal with. They traded punches at the end of the round with Ball taking out Ford again.

Score: 10-9 Ball (Ball 49-46)

Round 6

The entertainment level was high as they traded blows as the round began. Ball forced Ford into the ropes and punched him.

Score: 10-9 Ball (59-55 Ball)

Round 7

Ford stood to the side, piercing Ball's guard with jabs and straight lefts. Ford pierced Ball's guard with jabs and lefts and then uppercuts and Ball was bleeding profusely from the nose. Ford took the round, forcing Ball back and punching home.

Score: 10-9 Ford (Ball 68-65)

Round 8

Ford jabs through Ball's defense and follows up with a straight left. He started to attack, but the Ford successfully targeted Ball's nose, causing blood to spill from his nose. Ford danced away from the chase and Ball confronted him on the way in. A frustrated ball threw Ford to the ground.

Score: 10-9 Ford (Ball 77-75)

Round 9

The ball was starting to pay for the speed it set and it must have been swallowing blood. Ford once again pierced Ball's guard with a straight shot, but Ball had already found his fire and was driving forward, firing punches. Ford had a cut and swelling in his left eye.

Score: 10-9 Ball (Ball 87-84)

Round 10

Ford has been pulling hard lefts and avoiding Ball's attempts to counter. The ball was moving Ford down, but the gap between his rush attacks was widening, and his punches were not fast enough. Ford was punching Ball and sliding away from Ball's punches or tying him inside.

Score: 10-9 Ford (Ball 96-94)

Round 11

The ball hit hard at the start of the round. Ford kept snapping his jab and rights. The ball was bleeding and from the nose. His mouth was open and his fists were covered when the Fords pulled him out.

Score: 10-9 Ford (Ball 105-104)

Round 12

Ford was shooting backwards to avoid Ball's charges. While Ball forced Ford into the ropes a right to the head made Ball fall back. Ball got a good combination and kept throwing punches with Ford throwing them slower but with more accuracy. Ball threw himself at Ford, and he just threw out his fists. Then Ford made a point of punching and laying straight punches on Wild Ball, but for me, Ball took the last round of the classic clash of styles.

Score: 10-9 Ball (115-113 Ball)

Official Scorers: Judge Pawel Kardyni 115-113 (Football), Judge Jean Robert Laine 115-113 (Football), Judge Kim Byung-Mu 115-113 (Ford).

Verdict: Ball is a champion in less than three months who has appeared unlucky, only playing against WBC champion Rey Vargas in a challenge for the WBC belt. His unrelenting anger, high level of work and determination made him win the title. Ford, 25, was defending the title for the first time, and with the scores so close, he thought he was the winner. He has the ability to fight for another title fight and win the title.