Nick Ball, standing at 5 feet 2 inches, holds the WBA featherweight title and is accustomed to facing larger opponents in the ring. On Saturday at Liverpool’s Echo Arena, Ball will once again be the smaller fighter, this time against 5-foot-9 Brandon Figueroa.
Ball, who boasts a record of 23-0-1 with 13 knockouts, has quickly gained a reputation for being one of boxing’s busiest and most thrilling champions since claiming the belt in a split decision victory over Ray Ford in June 2024. Following that win, he has defended his title three times, defeating Ronnie Rios and TJ Doheny by stoppage and most recently edging out Sam Goodman by decision.
To compensate for his height disadvantage, Ball employs a head-forward style, pressing into his opponent’s chest and relentlessly throwing punches. His challenger, former WBC junior featherweight champ Brandon Figueroa, has a 26-2-1 record with 19 knockouts. Figueroa lost his title in early 2021 to Stephen Fulton, and Fulton is also responsible for Figueroa’s only other career defeat in a 2025 featherweight bout. After that second loss, Figueroa rebounded with a win over Jowette Gonzalez and currently holds a 4-1 record at the featherweight limit.
Should Ball emerge victorious, he aims to pursue unification matches against other featherweight titleholders such as Bruce Carrington (WBC), Angelo Leo (IBF), and Rafael Espinoza (WBO).
Before diving into the main event predictions, let’s review the rest of Saturday’s undercard fights:
Fight Card & Betting Odds (DraftKings Sportsbook):
- Nick Ball (c) -450 vs. Brandon Figueroa +330 (WBA Featherweight Title)
- Andrew Kane -1000 vs. Alejandro Jair Gonzalez +600 (Bantamweight)
- Jack Turner vs. Juan Carlos Martinez Urbina (Junior Bantamweight)
- Brad Strand -1600 vs. Ruben Gonzalez +800 (Junior Featherweight)
Event Details:
- Date: Saturday, February 7th
- Venue: MS&S Bank Arena, Liverpool, England
- Start Time: 2:00 PM ET (Main Card)
- Broadcast: DAZN (subscription required)
Fight Breakdown:
Despite his reach advantage, Figueroa is known for his aggressive style, pressing forward to wear down opponents, particularly targeting the body. For a shorter fighter like Ball, the key is closing the distance effectively, something he has proven capable of doing in tight spaces. The outcome will likely hinge on whether Figueroa can maintain range with a solid jab to disrupt Ball’s inside game. If Figueroa succeeds in landing punches from the outside, an upset is possible; however, Ball’s control and pressure make him a tough puzzle to solve. Because Figueroa will need to punch downward to work the body, it may impede his usual approach, making Ball the favorite to win by unanimous decision.
Prediction: Nick Ball via Unanimous Decision
Fan Take:
This matchup highlights boxing’s growing appeal as smaller fighters defy expectations and showcase relentless heart and skill. A win for Ball could shake up featherweight legitimacy and set the stage for thrilling unification bouts, thrilling fight fans eager to see who truly reigns supreme in the division.
