Nick Ball knocked out Ronny Rios in dramatic fashion on Saturday night in Liverpool.

Britain’s undefeated WBA featherweight world champion, who has been branded the ‘mini Mike Tyson‘, pummelled his American foe through the ropes after ten dramatic rounds to secure victory in his first title defence.

Ball smashed Rios through the ropes in round ten

The fight began with a fast start from the champion.

In trademark style, Ball threw a variety of punches from the off and made an instant impact on his opponent.

At the end of round one, Rios gave him a nod of respect to acknowledge the work he’d done.

Ball came out jabbing in the second, then again unleashed ferocious combinations of hooks and uppercuts.

Rios attempted to fight back with body shots, though the 27-year-old champion looked unfazed.

Despite his height advantage, the 34-year-old challenger was crouching down and so negated this himself.

That said, he did leave Ball with a bloodied nose as they headed back to their corners for the second time.

At the start of round three, Ball responded in dramatic fashion.

He launched a furious attack and overwhelmed Rios, flooring him within 30 seconds.

The veteran made it back to his feet, but Ball was relentless.

The first knockdown came in round threeTNT

Rios shipped a tonne of further punishment and it seemed remarkable when the bell rang for the end of the third with him still on his feet.

Round four was another torrid session for Rios, but again he showed his toughness as he weathered the storm, seemingly hoping Ball would soon tire.

And indeed, the champion did slow down in the fifth, allowing the challenger to continue his body assault.

The blood from Ball’s nose suddenly appeared to be seriously troubling him as it blocked his airways and he fought with his mouth wide open to breathe.

As they hit the halfway point, the pace of the contest had dropped dramatically.

Ball remained clearly ahead, though Rios had clearly made a dent in him also.

At the start of the seventh, the champion reasserted his dominance and decked the challenger once again, albeit from a disputable knockdown that appeared on the replays to be more of a push.

Thanks to some impressive corner work, the blood flow from Ball’s nose had halted and he again set out in pursuit of the stoppage.

Once more however, Rios held firm and refused to wilt, hearing the bell and surviving.

Given this was his third world title challenge after two previous failed attempts, the American’s valiant effort was understandable.

In the ninth, he again drew blood from Ball’s nose, but this seemed to provoke a dramatic finish from the champion.

The Brit came out storming in round ten and pummelled Rios through the ropes.

Remarkably, he climbed back into the ring and attempted to fight on, only for his corner to mercifully step in and stop the bout.