In a stunning twist of fate, Nick Ball’s journey as the WBA featherweight world champion came to an abrupt and heartbreaking end when he was knocked out by Brandon Figueroa in the 12th round during a world title bout held in Liverpool. The atmosphere among the crowd quickly shifted from anticipation to disbelief as the British boxer faced an unexpected defeat in front of his home fans.
Throughout the match, which lasted for 11 intense rounds, both fighters showcased their skills. Ball demonstrated his typical aggressive style, particularly on the inside, while Figueroa countered with his relentless barrage of punches, making for a thrilling contest. However, everything changed dramatically in the final round.
Just seconds into the last round at the M&S Bank Arena, Figueroa connected with a powerful straight left that sent Ball crashing to the canvas. Although the 28-year-old managed to rise before the count of ten, he appeared shaky and vulnerable. A swift follow-up combination from Figueroa prompted the referee to stop the fight, sealing Ball’s fate.
The aftermath of the bout was chaotic as some spectators reacted poorly, hurling drinks and objects toward the ring after a brief confrontation ensued. Members of Ball's team expressed their frustration over Figueroa's exuberant celebrations while their fighter was recovering from the knockout. In response, Figueroa offered an apology, stating, "I'm sorry for the celebration; we didn’t mean anything by it—we were just excited. Sorry about that." He also took a moment to acknowledge Ball's accomplishments, saying, "Big shout out to Nick Ball. He is a great Liverpool champion and one of the best England has ever had. I have nothing but respect for him."
This fight marked the fourth defense of Ball’s world title and unfortunately resulted in the first loss of his professional career, breaking his unbeaten streak of 24 fights, which included one draw. This outcome dashed his hopes for unification bouts and interrupted a positive trend for British boxing, particularly following notable victories by Dalton Smith and Josh Kelly earlier in January.
Figueroa, on the other hand, celebrated achieving a remarkable milestone as he became a three-weight world champion in just his 30th professional fight. Known as 'Heartbreaker,' the American boxer certainly lived up to his nickname during what proved to be a disappointing evening for both the Liverpool crowd and the fighter known as 'Wrecking' Ball.
As Figueroa made his entrance, he was met with a cacophony of boos from a nearly packed arena, demonstrating the local support for Ball. Nevertheless, the challenger remained poised, blowing kisses to his supporters while receiving an enthusiastic welcome from the audience eager to cheer on their hometown hero.
The fight itself began at a fast pace, with Ball unleashing 145 punches in the opening three rounds, including some sharp uppercuts. Figueroa was equally active, throwing an impressive 204 punches in the same timeframe. Despite standing at just 5 feet 2 inches tall—seven inches shorter than Figueroa—Ball had previously dismissed height as a disadvantage, claiming he enjoyed "punching up" against taller opponents.
As the fight progressed, Ball suffered a nosebleed, indicating the intensity of the exchanges. Yet, he responded with vigor, delivering a fierce combination in the eighth round that seemed to affect Figueroa, who smiled through the pain and countered effectively. With several rounds being closely contested, the fight appeared destined to go the distance and be decided by the judges.
As Ball’s corner urged him on, reminding him that these were the crucial championship rounds, tension filled the air. However, few could have anticipated the swift conclusion that was to follow. After being knocked down by Figueroa’s initial punch, Ball bravely rose to his feet but was clearly in distress. Sensing an opportunity, Figueroa unleashed a flurry of punches, and a left-right-left combination ultimately led to the referee stepping in to halt the fight.
In the chaotic moments that followed, Andrew Cain, one of Ball’s team members, who had secured a victory on the undercard, seemingly attempted to kick one of Figueroa’s cornermen, highlighting the heightened emotions surrounding the bout. Fortunately, calm was restored rapidly, and the scorecards revealed that Figueroa was ahead on two of the three judges’ sheets, confirming that the knockout was not merely a stroke of luck for him.
Ball’s ascent in the boxing world has been remarkable since he began his professional career in a nightclub in Liverpool. Until this fight, he had won four consecutive matches following a controversial split draw with Rey Vargas in March 2024. Notably, he was the only reigning male world champion from Britain to successfully defend his title. However, this impressive run has now ended in a way that no one could have predicted.
Known for his engaging fighting style, Ball had become one of the most exciting boxers in the country, with dreams of unification bouts and high-profile matchups on the horizon. He had even set his sights on a potential super-fight against Japan’s pound-for-pound star, Naoya Inoue, the undisputed super-bantamweight champion. Yet, instead of pursuing those ambitions, Ball must now grapple with the reality of his first professional defeat and the loss of his title.
How he chooses to respond to this setback, both physically and mentally, will significantly influence the next phase of his career. Overcoming this challenge could ultimately define his character moving forward. With other champions like Bruce Carrington (WBC), Angelo Leo (IBF), and Rafael Espinoza (WBO) holding the remaining titles in the division, one must wonder: Would they be willing to face Ball now that he no longer holds a title?
There is also the possibility of a rematch with Figueroa, although it remains uncertain whether the American would be inclined to accept such an offer following his definitive knockout victory.
