In a stunning turn of events, Nick Ball's tenure as the WBA featherweight world champion came to an abrupt end when he was knocked out by Brandon Figueroa in the twelfth round, leaving the Liverpool crowd in shock.
The match had seen both fighters engage in an intense and tightly contested battle over the previous eleven rounds. Ball, known for his aggressive style, was dominant at times in close quarters, while Figueroa countered with his signature high-volume approach. However, everything changed dramatically in the final round.
Just moments into the last round at M&S Bank Arena, Figueroa connected with a powerful straight left that sent Ball sprawling to the floor. Although Ball managed to get back on his feet, he appeared disoriented, prompting the referee to stop the fight after Figueroa unleashed a rapid succession of punches that left no doubt about the outcome.
The aftermath of the fight was chaotic; frustrated fans reacted by throwing beer and other items into the ring, expressing their displeasure particularly at Figueroa's exuberant celebration while Ball was still recovering from the knockout. In response to the backlash, Figueroa later expressed his remorse, stating, "I apologize for the celebration; we didn’t mean any disrespect, we were just caught up in the excitement. I have immense respect for Nick Ball, he is a remarkable champion from Liverpool and one of the finest fighters England has produced."
This bout marked Ball's fourth title defense and was particularly significant as it represented the first defeat of his professional career, bringing his impressive record of 24 wins and one draw to a sudden halt. It dashed his aspirations for unification fights and interrupted a promising period for British boxing that had recently celebrated victories from Dalton Smith and Josh Kelly in January.
Meanwhile, Figueroa celebrated becoming a three-weight world champion in just his 30th professional fight. Known by the nickname 'Heartbreaker,' Figueroa’s victory was bittersweet for the Liverpool audience, who had filled the arena to support their local hero.
The atmosphere was electric as Ball entered the ring, continuing Liverpool's legacy of producing exceptional boxers, from John Conteh to Natasha Jonas. He received a warm welcome from the crowd, which was palpable in the air.
The fight kicked off at an exhilarating pace, with Ball launching 145 punches in the first three rounds alone, showcasing impressive uppercuts, while Figueroa responded with an astonishing 204 punches. Standing at just 5 feet 2 inches, Ball gave away seven inches in height but had previously indicated that he preferred to fight taller opponents, viewing the challenge as an opportunity rather than a disadvantage.
As the match progressed, blood began to flow from Ball's nose, yet he continued to deliver powerful blows. At the halfway mark, Figueroa seemed to have the edge in stamina and aggression. Ball made a fierce comeback in the eighth round, where he unleashed a series of punches that visibly shook Figueroa, who returned the favor with body shots. The fight remained competitive, with each round feeling critical as it approached the scorecards.
"These are championship rounds, this is your moment now," Ball’s corner urged him, heightening the tension in the arena. However, the conclusion came unexpectedly. After being knocked down by Figueroa’s left punch, Ball valiantly rose at the count of nine, but Figueroa sensed victory was near and quickly finished the match with a decisive left-right-left combination.
Following the stoppage, the atmosphere turned confrontational as tensions escalated and one of Ball's team members, Andrew Cain, who had won his own fight earlier, attempted to kick one of Figueroa’s cornermen amidst the chaos. Fortunately, calm was restored quickly, and it was revealed through the judges' scorecards that Figueroa was leading on two of the three cards before the knockout.
Ball's journey had been remarkable since his professional debut in a Liverpool nightclub, and he had experienced a string of four consecutive victories since a controversial split draw against Rey Vargas in March 2024. Out of all the male world champions from Britain, he was the only fighter to have defended his title successfully.
However, this title reign came to a disheartening end. Known for his entertaining fighting style, Ball had become one of the most exciting boxers to watch in the UK, with potential unification matches and high-profile opponents on the horizon. A super-fight against Japan's pound-for-pound sensation Naoya Inoue, the undisputed super-bantamweight champion, was on Ball's radar.
Instead, he faced an inspired performance from Figueroa and must now deal with not only the loss of his world title but also the first defeat of his career. How Ball will rebound from this experience—both physically and mentally—will be crucial as he charts the next chapter of his boxing journey. Overcoming this setback may very well serve as a defining moment for him.
With Bruce Carrington (WBC), Angelo Leo (IBF), and Rafael Espinoza (WBO) holding the other titles in the featherweight division, one wonders: would any of these champions be interested in facing Ball without a title at stake? While a rematch with Figueroa could be on the table, the American might be hesitant to accept that challenge after such a conclusive victory.
