On Saturday, the WBA featherweight title bout between Nick Ball and Brandon Figueroa lived up to expectations with relentless excitement. Ultimately, Figueroa captured the championship by delivering a dramatic knockout in the 12th round. Both fighters consistently engaged, with the 5-foot-2 Ball effectively using close-range power punches, particularly uppercuts and hooks, during the opening rounds. Figueroa stuck to his known approach of targeting the body with tight combinations and occasionally landed powerful straight jabs and rights.
As the fight progressed into the latter rounds, Figueroa became increasingly aggressive, pushing Ball onto the defensive as the scoring remained close. When the final round began, both men touched gloves, aware that the outcome was still undecided. It was in this decisive moment that Figueroa landed a precise left hook that sent Ball crashing to the canvas. Though Ball managed to beat the count, Figueroa unleashed a ferocious follow-up, knocking Ball out just 32 seconds into the round, prompting the referee to stop the contest.
With this victory, Figueroa claims a world title for the second time, having previously held the WBC junior featherweight belt until losing it in 2021’s Fight of the Year against Stephen Fulton. Fulton remains the only opponent to have defeated Figueroa, including their 2025 rematch. This loss marks the first defeat in Ball’s career and ends his fourth successful title defense since narrowly winning the belt from Ray Ford in June 2024.
Fan Take: This electrifying matchup showcases the relentless heart and skill both fighters bring to the ring, emphasizing why featherweight division battles captivate fight fans. Figueroa’s comeback and knockout win signals a thrilling new chapter for the division’s landscape, promising more must-watch matchups ahead.
