Nick Ball is set for another tall order.
The squat WBA 126lbs titlist will risk his belt against former two-division beltholder Brandon Figueroa. The intriguing clash is set to headline a February 7 DAZN show from M&S Bank Arena in Ball’s hometown of Liverpool, England.
News of the bout was revealed by Queensberry Promotions on Thursday. The updated confirmed previous rumors which originated – ironically – from the WBC’s annual convention in late November, in an effort to clarify Figueroa’s challenger status with that sanctioning body.
Figueroa was also the number-one contender with the WBO.
Instead, it’s Ball, 23-0-1 (13 KOs) who lands the wiry American for what will mark his fourth title defense. The 28-year-old Scouser will enjoy his third title fight at home, now evenly splitting his last six fights between Liverpool and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Ball’s reign began in Riyadh, when he barely edged Raymond Ford in their entertaining battle last June between unbeaten featherweights. All three judges scored their back-and-forth contest 115-113, two for Ball and one for Ford, whose WBA title reign lasted just three months.
For Ball, it was success the second time around after he was held to a draw with then-WBC 126lbs titlist Rey Vargas three months earlier, also in Riyadh. Their March 2024 title fight saw the 5ft, 2ins Ball overcome an 8ins height disadvantage to twice floor Vargas, only to settle for a stalemate.
The height differential was the most extreme for Ball’s current title run. He will now stand 7ins shorter than his next challenger, the 5ft, 9ins Figueroa, 26-2-1 (19 KOs) who looks to claim his fourth major title spanning three weight divisions.
Texas’ Figueroa, also 28, previously held the WBC title at both 122lbs and 126lbs. Both reigns ended at the hands of Stephen Fulton. The former occurred in their November 2023 thriller when both were unbeaten; and the latter in a far more lopsided defeat this past February 1, both in Las Vegas.
The repeat defeat to Fulton raised greater concern over Figueroa’s future. More questions than answers came from his disputed points win over former title challenger Joet Gonzalez during their July 19 WBA title eliminator, also in Vegas.
Regardless of the post-fight debate, it positioned Figueroa to once again challenge for a major title. The bout was ordered in mid-October, with no updates upon reaching its 30-day deadline. A purse bid hearing was never scheduled, however – and for good reason, given this news.
Figueroa will fight in jolly old England – and outside the U.S. – for the first time in his 10-plus year career.
Ball’s previous title defenses came in stoppage victories over Ronny Rios and TJ Doheny at home, followed by a hard-fought points win over Sam Goodman on August 16 in Riyadh.
Jake Donovan is an award-winning journalist who served as a senior writer for BoxingScene from 2007-2024, and news editor for the final nine years of his first tour. He was also the lead writer for The Ring before his decision to return home. Follow Jake on X and Instagram.
