BN Fight Facts: Nick Ball and Rey Vargas share the spoils in a fascinating fight of two halves

THE RESULT: In a compelling battle of two halves, Rey Vargas dominated the opening six rounds of his WBC featherweight title defence in opposition to Nick Ball earlier than permitting Ball, seemingly overwhelmed, to come back again into the fight in the remaining six. Not solely did Ball come again into the fight, he additionally scored two knockdowns – yet one more real than the different – and pushed Vargas to such an extent that the two fighters had been in the finish unable to be cut up. Indeed, when the remaining bell tolled in Riyadh and the fight went to the judges, the three playing cards delivered a cut up draw by scores of 114-112 to Vargas, 116-110 to Ball, and 113-113.

KEY MOMENTS: Both fighters had their moments all through, with Vargas’ all coming in the first six rounds and Ball’s coming in the remaining six rounds. In the first six rounds it was all about Vargas’ motion, his ring generalship, and the good physique pictures with which he punished Ball spherical after spherical. These pictures, thrown with each his left and proper hand, would slash the midsection of the Liverpudlian and have him pondering twice about closing the distance.

Still, although, Ball ploughed ahead, of course, and in spherical seven he secured his first breakthrough in the fight, nailing Vargas with a big proper hand which turned the fight on its head. After it, Ball harassed Vargas, his legs unsteady, and refused to relent till the bell. It was then in the subsequent spherical he dropped Vargas for the first time, cuffing him with a left hook having spun and thrown the Mexican to the flooring beforehand. This was a bone of competition for Vargas, and he appeared to have a level, but much more conclusive was the knockdown Ball would rating in the eleventh spherical, which was delivered through his proper hand, with Vargas shifting in opposition to the ropes, and appeared to swing the fight in Ball’s favour.

RECORDS: Ball, 27, is now 19-0-1 (11), whereas Vargas, 33, is now 36-1-1 (22).

TALKING POINT: The massive speaking level each earlier than the fight and throughout it was the sheer measurement distinction between the two featherweights. With some eight and a half inches between them, it made sense for Vargas to make use of his superior peak and attain to maintain Ball at the finish of his jab for so long as doable. This he did at occasions, too, and to good impact, but, being Mexican, there have been additionally different events when Vargas needed to face his floor and whip physique pictures the approach of Ball, in addition to uppercuts when Ball rumbled ahead. As for Ball, it was a testomony to his willpower and self-belief that he by no means let Vargas’ measurement or early success hassle him.

QUOTABLE: After the fight, Nick Ball mentioned: “I had two knockdowns and I was putting the pressure on for the whole fight. I was the aggressor and thought I did enough to win it. It was a bit frustrating (getting broken up by the referee when trying to work), but you can’t get angry about it. You have to stay focused and get on with the job. I knew I was at that level – it was just about getting the opportunity to show it. I’ve shown that tonight, but it’s disappointing really.”

Vargas, in the meantime, when requested about a rematch, mentioned: “Yes, of course. I will even come here to his back yard to fight him. I am not afraid of him. If they pay me three or four times what I got tonight, we can fight tomorrow.”

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT: Leading the rematch discuss was Frank Warren, Ball’s promoter, who mentioned, “He (Ball) won the fight. Listen to the crowd. Did he win it or did he not win it? He won the fight. I just don’t understand. He lost a few of the early rounds but I’m telling you he won that fight. I’m sure a rematch will get ordered by the WBC.”