In a stunning turn of events, Nick Ball's reign as WBA featherweight world champion came to an abrupt end in Liverpool. The British boxer, known for his fan-friendly style and impressive record, was knocked out in the 12th round by Brandon Figueroa, who became a three-weight world champion in his 30th professional bout. This dramatic fight, witnessed by a stunned home crowd, showcased the unpredictable nature of boxing and the potential for upsets in the sport.
Ball, who had previously gone 24 fights unbeaten with one draw, suffered his first professional defeat. The fight began at a frantic pace, with Ball throwing 145 punches across the opening three rounds, and Figueroa responding with relentless volume. However, the turning point came in the final round when Figueroa landed a flush straight left, sending Ball crashing to the canvas. Despite rising on the count of nine, Ball couldn't recover, and the referee waved off the fight.
The post-fight scenes were marred by ugly behavior as beer and objects were thrown towards the ring after a brief altercation. However, Figueroa, known for his respectful demeanor, expressed his admiration for Ball, calling him a 'great Liverpool champion' and one of the best England has ever produced.
This loss brings to an end a positive run of results for British boxing on the global stage, following the world title triumphs of Dalton Smith and Josh Kelly in January. While Ball's fan-friendly style had made him one of the country's most watchable fighters, the loss of his world title and the first defeat of his career will be a setback for him and his team.
The question now is how Ball will respond to this setback, both physically and mentally. Will he seek a rematch with Figueroa, or will he look to move on and defend his title against other contenders? The next chapter of Ball's career will be shaped by his response to this defining test of his character.
