BoxRec

Nick Ball vs. Brandon Figueroa ordered by WBA

The WBA has called for Nick Ball to defend his featherweight belt against former two-division titleholder Brandon Figueroa.

The camps have until November 12 to reach an agreement, or else the fight will be sent to a purse bid.

Ball, 23-0-1 (13 KOs), won the title in June 2024 when he defeated Raymond Ford via split decision. But none of Ball’s three defenses since has come against a mandatory challenger.

In October 2024, Ball stopped Ronny Rios (ranked No. 7 at the time) in the 10th round. This past March, Ball scored a 10th-round technical knockout over TJ Doheny (ranked No. 6 at the time). And in August, Ball outpointed Sam Goodman (ranked No. 5 at the time).

“Ball must defend his title against the next leading available contender within nine months from the date he became champion,” says the WBA’s announcement. “Having won the title on June 1, 2024, the mandatory defense became due on March 1, 2025, meaning he must now face Figueroa.”

Figueroa, 26-2-1 (19 KOs), previously held the WBC belt both at 122lbs and 126lbs. Both times, he lost the title to Stephen Fulton – the former in a closely contested battle in November 2021, the latter in a much more dominant Fulton display this past February.

Figueroa returned in July and won a unanimous decision against Joet Gonzalez in a fight that some observers felt could have gone Gonzalez’s way. That fight was an elimination bout for the WBA title.

Figueroa leapfrogs Mirco Cuello for this opportunity. Cuello, 16-0 (13 KOs), defeated Christian Olivo in February – on the same show as Fulton-Figueroa II – in what the WBA’s own website calls a final eliminator. Cuello then made short work of Sergio Rios Jimenez in August for the WBA’s secondary interim belt.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑14 Oct 2025, 03:16 Nick Ball vs. Brandon Figueroa ordered by WBA Escape Road

The WBA has called for Nick Ball to defend his featherweight belt against former two-division titleholder Brandon Figueroa.

The camps have until November 12 to reach an agreement, or else the fight will be sent to a purse bid.

Ball, 23-0-1 (13 KOs), won the title in June 2024 when he defeated Raymond Ford via split decision. But none of Ball’s three defenses since has come against a mandatory challenger.

In October 2024, Ball stopped Ronny Rios (ranked No. 7 at the time) in the 10th round. This past March, Ball scored a 10th-round technical knockout over TJ Doheny (ranked No. 6 at the time). And in August, Ball outpointed Sam Goodman (ranked No. 5 at the time).

“Ball must defend his title against the next leading available contender within nine months from the date he became champion,” says the WBA’s announcement. “Having won the title on June 1, 2024, the mandatory defense became due on March 1, 2025, meaning he must now face Figueroa.”

Figueroa, 26-2-1 (19 KOs), previously held the WBC belt both at 122lbs and 126lbs. Both times, he lost the title to Stephen Fulton – the former in a closely contested battle in November 2021, the latter in a much more dominant Fulton display this past February.

Figueroa returned in July and won a unanimous decision against Joet Gonzalez in a fight that some observers felt could have gone Gonzalez’s way. That fight was an elimination bout for the WBA title.

Figueroa leapfrogs Mirco Cuello for this opportunity. Cuello, 16-0 (13 KOs), defeated Christian Olivo in February – on the same show as Fulton-Figueroa II – in what the WBA’s own website calls a final eliminator. Cuello then made short work of Sergio Rios Jimenez in August for the WBA’s secondary interim belt.

That’s a great matchup — Ball vs. Figueroa feels like a real test for both. Ball’s been active but hasn’t faced a true mandatory yet, while Figueroa’s pressure style could really push him. If Ball can handle that kind of relentless pace, he’ll prove he’s more than just a paper champ.

WBA Orders Romero-Giyasov, Ball-Figueroa Title Fights

The WBA ordered a pair of title fights Monday.

The sanctioning body announced on its website that it ordered welterweight champion Rolando “Rolly” Romero to face No. 1 contender Shakhram Giyasov. The WBA also mandated that featherweight champion Nick Ball must make his next title defense against Brandon Figueroa, who is No. 1 in its featherweight rankings.

Romero and Giyasov have until November 13 to reach a deal, while Ball and Figueroa have until November 12. The bouts will go to purse bids if deals can’t be struck before those deadlines.
Between the two fights, Ball-Figueroa appears far more likely to happen. Uzbekistan’s Giyasov likely will be asked to step aside again to allow Romero to face Manny Pacquiao for much more money than he’d earn for facing Giyasov.

The Ring’s Mike Coppinger reported on “Inside The Ring” recently that North Las Vegas’ Romero (17-2, 13 KOs) is the frontrunner to face the International Boxing Hall of Famer and eight-division champion. Pacquiao, 46, announced last week that he will return to the ring January 24 in Las Vegas, but he didn’t mention potential opponents.

Pacquiao (62-8-3, 39 KOs) made his return to the ring July 19 after a nearly four-year hiatus. He almost became the second-oldest champion in boxing history when he fought to a majority draw against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios (29-2-2, 18 KOs).

Romero, 29, became the WBA world welterweight champion with his 12-round, unanimous-decision upset of Ryan Garcia (24-2, 20 KOs, 1 NC) on May 2 at Times Square in New York. He was elevated to full champion after Jaron “Boots” Ennis (35-0, 31 KOs, 1 NC) vacated his Ring, IBF and WBA welterweight titles in June to move up to junior middleweight.

Giyasov (17-0, 10 KOs) has already stepped aside once so Ennis could face Eimantas Stanionis in a title unification bout April 12 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Giyasov, 32, last fought on the Ennis-Stanionis undercard, when he defeated Franco Maximiliano Ocampo (17-3, 8 KOs) by fourth-round knockout.

For England’s Ball (23-0-1, 13 KOs), facing Figueroa would represent his fourth title defense. Ball, 28, defeated Australia’s Sam Goodman (20-1, 8 KOs) by unanimous decision on August 16 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in his last title defense.

Figueroa (26-2-1, 19 KOs), a former WBC featherweight and WBC super bantamweight champ from Weslaco, Texas, last fought on the Pacquiao-Barrios undercard. Figueroa, also 28, defeated three-time title challenger Joet Gonzalez (27-5, 15 KOs) by unanimous decision in their 10-rounder.

Figueroa looked good up until the last Fulton bout when he looked clueless.

I didn't see the Joet fight but Gonzalez has a knack for making fighters look not great whilst still losing to them.

There's a lot of really good fights that could be made at Feather & Super-feather but it seems everyone at 126 is waiting for Inoue.

I hope Nick smashes him & makes a big statement but he looked better in the fights before winning the title than he has since.

Done deal

Nick Ball-Brandon Figueroa set for February 7 in Liverpool

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.

Nick Ball makes his first defense against a true featherweight

Nick Ball to defend WBA 126-pound title vs. Brandon Figueroa on Feb. 7

Nick Ball will defend his WBA featherweight title against Brandon Figueroa on February 7, it was announced Thursday.

The fight will take place in Liverpool, England, at M&S Bank Arena.

Ball (23-0-1, 13 KOs) last fought on August 16 against Sam Goodman, winning a competitive unanimous decision at ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. His clash with Figueroa will be the fourth defence of the title he won against Raymford Ford in June 2024.

Figueroa (26-2-1, 19 KOs) hasn't been in action since his own unanimous decision victory over Joet Gonzalez on the undercard of Manny Pacquiao-Mario Barrios in July.

The Texan is a former junior featherweight and featherweight champion. He lost his WBC featherweight title to Stephen Fulton in February. The pair also fought for unified honours at 122 pounds in November 2021, with Figueroa losing by majority decision.

Promoter allegedly said in a statement: "We’re delighted to be going back to Merseyside early next year for another signature Nick Ball World Title fight at the M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool.

"Nick always delivers entertaining, hard hitting fights and this one promises to be no different against two-weight World Champion, Brandon Figueroa."

First presser

BRANDON FIGUEROA EXPECTS MATCHUP VS. NICK BALL TO BE ALL-ACTION

Brandon Figueroa loves it when an opponent stands toe-to-toe with him.

It takes two willing participants to make a fan-friendly fight, which is why his upcoming opponent Nick Ball appears to be the perfect fit when they meet February 7 at Echo Arena in Liverpool.

“I do really well against guys that fight me,” Figueroa said during their press conference Tuesday. “I already know that we’re going to clash in the middle of the ring.”

Becoming a three-time champion consumes Figueroa, who had each of his two previous reigns come to an end vs. Stephen Fulton.

Nevertheless, the 28-year-old is ready to turn the page.

When last seen, Figueroa (26-2-1, 19 KOs) grabbed a controversial decision over Joet Gonzalez on July 19. But while that contentious win got him back on track, he’s a decisive underdog against Ball.

Ball, the Ring’s No. 3 featherweight and WBA titleholder, spent 2025 defending his crown against TJ Doheny and Sam Goodman.

Ball (23-0-1, 13 KOs) has shown with victories over Ray Ford and Isaac Dogboe that he can compete with the best. According to Figueroa, those experiences on the big stage won’t help him.

“It’s just who wants it more in the end,” Figueroa said.

Hard to see Ball in a bad fight

Coco wrote: ↑17 Dec 2025, 18:17 Hard to see Ball in a bad fight

Yep agree , His whole style just oozes excitment , , although i do feel a real good mover will or at least could make him look silly , But you will always need a punch to go with the movement

Seems to have zero ambition to unify. None of the other 3 champions have fights scheduled either.

Figueroa by robbery

Mexican and Mexican descent fighters love getting gift decisions.

BRANDON FIGUEROA: FIGHTING NICK BALL IN HIS TERRITORY MAKES FOR A SPECIAL NIGHT

Brandon Figueroa barely had time to catch his breath during a whistle stop tour to Liverpool, promoting his upcoming fight with WBA world featherweight champion Nick Ball.

Within three hours of his plane landing in the UK, the 28-year-old had cleared immigration and completed a press conference.

The Texan has ventured across the southern border and into Mexico before but had never been to Europe and a couple of things immediately grabbed his attention.

"Drivers sit on the right side and they drive on the left. That's the first thing I noticed," the two-division world champion told The Ring as he took a few minutes before completing his media obligations.

"Oh, and the plugs are different as well."

Travelling without a large entourage, Figueroa (26-2-1, 19 KOs) arrived quietly and took his place at the press conference dais. He and Ball engaged in a long face-off but spoke respectfully before heading their separate ways.

That relaxed attitude will be extremely useful. On February 7, The Ring's No. 7-ranked featherweight will be back in Liverpool to fight and the welcome will be much less warm.

Figueroa is a 10-year veteran of the sport and a vastly experienced professional but has never before boxed a rival in their own back yard.

"Yes, this is actually his territory, literally. So yeah, it's the first time," he said.

"When I fought Luis Nery it was at Carson, California so it wasn't really necessarily his territory but here, it's Nick Ball’s city.

"So it’s a special, special night."

In February, Figueroa struggled to pin down the slick, talented Stephen Fulton and lost his WBC featherweight title in their highly-anticipated rematch.

Despite the loss, a number of avenues remained open to him.

He is highly-ranked by the WBO and the IBF and only recently exited the WBC standings but - in July - he outpointed Joet Gonzalez in an WBA title eliminator and was subsequently named as Ball's mandatory challenger.

Ball (23-0-1, 13 KOs) is much more clever and cute than many give him credit for, but the 28-year-old champion isn't going to box and move like Fulton.

The Ring's No. 3-ranked featherweight is a naturally aggressive bundle of energy, who has imposed himself on every one of his opponents thus far.

The all-action Figueroa appreciates Ball’s style and attitude but believes he will get a shock when the pair inevitable meet in centre ring.

"I think my style of fighting is just very aggressive, very come forward. I hardly go back," he said.

"I'm always pressuring, pushing the fight and styles make fights so we just have to see until how it plays out.

"I can't really say anything right now but I know that my style of fighting is just very awkward, very unique."

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑28 Dec 2025, 18:50

"Drivers sit on the right side and they drive on the left. That's the first thing I noticed," the two-division world champion told The Ring as he took a few minutes before completing his media obligations.

"Oh, and the plugs are different as well."

Thanks for that stunning insight, Bran.

tigermoth87 wrote: ↑29 Dec 2025, 01:30

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑28 Dec 2025, 18:50

"Drivers sit on the right side and they drive on the left. That's the first thing I noticed," the two-division world champion told The Ring as he took a few minutes before completing his media obligations.

"Oh, and the plugs are different as well."

Thanks for that stunning insight, Bran.

Prob never left America

tigermoth87 wrote: ↑29 Dec 2025, 01:30

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑28 Dec 2025, 18:50

"Drivers sit on the right side and they drive on the left. That's the first thing I noticed," the two-division world champion told The Ring as he took a few minutes before completing his media obligations.

Thanks for that stunning insight, Bran.

To be fair it took me 2 or 3 years to work that out when I came to the US.

My car insurance is sky high.

Nick Ball sees Brandon Figueroa as kindred spirit, but certain he's on another level

LIVERPOOL, England — Well-rested and happy, WBA featherweight world champion Nick Ball is raring to get back to action.

Sat on a balcony at Liverpool’s BoxPark, the Liverpudlian looked down at the screens advertising his February 7 title defence against dangerous American Brandon Figueroa.

“It’s a proper one innit?” Ball (23-0-1, 13 KOs) said before the event’s launch press conference started.

“You don’t become a two-weight world champion by being average. He fights like me — well, he’s gonna find out he’s nothing like me — but there are similarities.”

In March 2024, The Ring’s No. 3 featherweight embarked on a run of five world title fights within 18 months.

He was held to a controversial split draw by WBC champion Rey Vargas of Mexico but just three months later he outfought Raymond Ford to win the WBA title.

Capitalising on his success, Ball returned to Liverpool and stopped the experienced Ronny Rios and TJ Doheny. In August he outpointed Australia’s Sam Goodman.

Ball did more than enough to beat the smart Goodman but wasn’t at his rampaging best.

After bouncing from camp to camp, Ball took a few months to recuperate and the thought of taking on the aggressive, accomplished Figueroa (26-2-1, 19 KOs) has reawakened the same excitement he felt before the fights with Vargas and Ford.

“It’s on,” he said.

“Every fight you've got to be on it. Your life's on the line, even more so with a fighter like this. You've got to be on it, you can't switch off. You've got to listen to people around you and keep doing what you've been doing.”

The relentless, aggressive Ball has been able to impose himself on all of his professional opponents.

Despite standing 5-foor-9, Figueroa is happy to give away his advantages in height and reach and engage his opponents at close quarters. In July, he threw more than 1,000 punches as he outpointed Joet Gonzalez in their WBA title eliminator.

Ball won’t have to persuade Figueroa to hold his feet. The Texan will come to Liverpool looking for a fight.

“He's going to, isn't he?” Ball said. “He’s coming over to Liverpool to try and take my belt. He’s got a world title opportunity, hasn't he? He's going to come and try, that's his job to do.

“Is he going to succeed?” Ball added with a smile. “Who knows?”

Ball, 28, is the longest reigning of Britain’s four reigning world champions. He also keeps the most low profile. He doesn’t live his life through social media and is rarely seen unless he is supporting one of his teammates from the Everton Red Triangle Gym.

Figueroa would be a noteworthy addition to what is rapidly becoming one of the deepest resumes in British boxing.

Fighters who have achieved a fraction of what he has receive far more attention, but Ball hasn’t spent a second thinking about where he stands in the domestic pecking order.

“That's not for me to answer. That's for you guys and the people watching to answer,” he said.

“I feel like I'm an exciting fighter. People always want to watch all-action fighters put it all on the line.

“Everyone's got their opinions. People are going to say it, people aren't going to say it. It doesn't really matter. I'm just going to continue doing me.”

REINVIGORATED NICK BALL READY TO PRODUCE ANOTHER SPECIAL LIVERPOOL NIGHT

Rested and rejuvenated, Nick Ball is ready to get back to work.

The no-nonsense WBA featherweight champion is a product of his environment and was built and hardened by Paul Stevenson and the team at Liverpool's Everton Red Triangle Gym.

These days, Ball spends much of his time in Dubai but The Ring's No. 3-ranked featherweight still returns to the streets and people that made him to prepare for his fights.

"You're coming back for a reason," Ball (23-0-1, 13 KOs) told The Ring.

"It's all business. It's go time, no messing around. There's no hanging out or chilling, it's full on. That’s what we've always been doing to get us to this position so we'll continue to do that.

"Everyone feels like they've got the best team in the game. That's right, they should feel that, but I feel like I have.

"The best team for me is who I've got around me now. The people who I started with and the people I'm going to finish with. I wouldn't be where I am today without them. I can honestly say that."

On February 7, Ball will defend his WBA featherweight title against America's two-weight world champion Brandon Figueroa (26-2-1, 19 KOs). It will be his first appearance since he outpointed Sam Goodman in Saudi Arabia on August 16.

Goodman boxed well and caused Ball problems with his movement and willingness to counterpunch but although Ball did more than enough to take the Australian's unbeaten record and return home with his title, he wasn't quite as explosive or as relentless as usual.

The win was his fifth world title fight within the space of 17 breakneck months which took him to the featherweight division's summit.

The break has given the all-action Ball the time to recharge his batteries but has also allowed him the time to take a breath, sit back and appreciate exactly what he has achieved.

"It's been good to have a little break but I like to stay active as well so I'm always training but it's good to have a break and realise how far you've come and take it all in for a minute and then go again," he said.

"When you're so focused on what's next, what's in front of you and your day-to-day thing, you don't have those moments. You don't give yourself those moments so it's good to reflect and see how far you've come."

Ball has reached the point where he can fill Liverpool's M&S Bank Arena. So far the 28-year-old has defended his title twice at the venue, stopping Ronny Rios and TJ Doheny.

The veterans were solid, world level operators giving Ball the chance to grow into his role as a world champion but Figueroa promises to provide a far more dangerous night's work.

Ball is returning to the sport reinvigorated and is looking forward to meeting the aggressive Texan head on.

"I can't wait. It's going to be a special night, this one. I've boxed here twice before as world champion and defended the belts twice. This is the third time," he said.

"This time feels different. My last fight was in Saudi and I wasn't too happy with my performance to be honest.

"To watch it back it was alright but I wasn't myself in there. But that is what it is, I still got the win. I feel like now, I'm coming back fresh in the new year with a point to prove."

Ball has underrated boxing ability but started off on the very bottom rung of boxing's ladder and forced himself to the top. He will need his every bit of his trademark aggression, fitness and desire to turn back The Ring's No. 7-ranked featherweight, Figueroa.

"I started with nothing," he remembered. "I started on a small show selling tickets to a fight. It's crazy, but that just shows you what hard work does and believing in yourself.

"You've always got to do that. If you always put the hard work in, the dedication, always believe in yourself there's no reason you can't get to the places I've got to."

BRANDON FIGUEROA PLANS TO IMPOSE SIZE ON NICK BALL IN FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE MATCH

Brandon Figueroa wants to impose himself physically and mentally when he challenges Nick Ball for the WBA featherweight title.

The 5-foot-8 two-weight world champion will tower over the stocky Ball who stands six inches shorter when they meet Feb. 7 on DAZN. Whilst The Ring’s No. 7 featherweight is used to being bigger, fighting a shorter opponent does present problems.

Twelve months ago, the smaller but skillful Stephen Fulton was able to outbox Figueroa during their rematch but the 29-year-old Texan typically can find the answers.

In 2018 he stopped the 5-foot-1 Oscar Escandon in the 10th and final round whilst arguably his signature victory is a seventh-round knockout of the compact, aggressive Luis Nery in 2018.

“Against Nery, for example, I knew I was going to tag him but it was just a matter of time. I just had to be patient and I had to find my rhythm,” Figueroa (26-2-1, 19 KOs) told The Ring.

"That's why I was also able to knock out Escandon. Once I got in my rhythm, once I found the range, I got him out of there. It's just very hard to find sparring that way, that size. It's very hard to kind of get a rhythm against shorter fighters, but once I get my rhythm I'm able to hurt my opponents.

“No one has managed to put me on the back heel. Maybe for a moment but never constantly putting me on the back heel. I'm always pushing, putting my opponents on their back heel.”

Figueroa is quietly spoken and polite outside of the ring, but “The Heartbreaker” takes pride and pleasure in grinding down opponents and ramping up the pressure until they fold.

Ball (23-0-1, 13 KOs) fights in a similarly aggressive way and has broken plenty of hearts himself. Figueroa respects Ball’s attitude and willingness to fight but he will be looking for the telltale signs that he has managed to impose himself on the Liverpudlian.

“It's their will. It's the look in their eyes,” he said. “I see that will in their eyes fade every round. That's what I love; breaking hearts and breaking their will.

“But hey, you never count a man out, especially someone that has everything on the line for him. The pressure's on him and it's going to be an exciting fight because he's going to come with it. He's literally fighting in his city so the pressure's on him.

“A lot is riding for him on the line so I’ve just got to go in there and do my job.”

Where’s the posts at??

I got it 6 rounds to 1 for Ball after 7.

Don't know what the hell is going on with the forum, and the missing posts.