This coming Saturday, February 7, the M&S Financial institution Enviornment in Liverpool will host one of the anticipated fights of the yr within the 126-pound division. Undefeated native hero Nick Ball will put his WBA featherweight world title on the road in opposition to former two-division world champion Brandon “The Heartbreaker” Figueroa.
Nick Ball (23-0-1, 13 KOs) returns dwelling to make the fourth protection of the title he captured in June 2024 with a victory over Raymond Ford. Since then, the 28-year-old has loved a meteoric rise, efficiently defending his belt in opposition to Ronny Rios, TJ Doheny, and most not too long ago Australia’s Sam Goodman final August.
Regardless of standing simply 5-foot-2 (1.57 m), Ball has earned the respect of the boxing world because of his relentless type, able to suffocating taller opponents with an amazing punch output. “Preventing in my metropolis all the time provides me further power. Figueroa is a warrior, however this belt stays in Liverpool,” Ball mentioned throughout the media tour.
Brandon Figueroa (26-2-1, 19 KOs) arrives on British soil decided to reclaim his standing as a world champion. The 29-year-old Texan, identified for his exceptional sturdiness and his skill to combat successfully each at vary and in shut quarters, enjoys a big bodily benefit, standing almost eight inches taller than the champion.
In contrast to many tall fighters, nevertheless, Figueroa thrives in close-range exchanges. “I really like breaking my opponents’ will, watching the hearth fade from their eyes spherical after spherical,” Figueroa mentioned.
For Ball, the important thing will probably be getting inside Figueroa’s guard to neutralize his attain and punish the physique, an space the place the American has proven vulnerability up to now.
If Figueroa chooses to depend on his jab and maintain Ball at distance, he might management the combat spherical by spherical. But when he decides to commerce punches, the bout might rapidly enter harmful territory—the place both man might find yourself on the canvas.
