Brandon Figueroa crowned WBA champion with dramatic Nick Ball knockout

Brandon Figueroa silenced Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena with a dramatic stoppage in round 12 to dethrone WBA featherweight champion Nick Ball. 

After 11 hard fought rounds with little separating the two fighters, it looked like the contest would be heading towards the judges’ scorecards. 

Instead, southpaw Figueroa took advantage of a tired Ball and laid him out twice on the canvas before the bout was ended by referee Steve Gray. 

Ball vs. Figueroa - What happened in world title fight?

The one concern heading into the fight was whether Ball could cope with Figueroa’s superior seven-inch reach, and it looked like Ball had the perfect gameplan. 

He was able to get inside Figueroa early on, setting the tone with two left uppercuts in the first which would become a common sight throughout the fight. 

Figueroa took a while to find his groove, but in the third he began to back Ball up and target the body in an attempt to slow the Liverpudlian down. 

While Ball thrives in situations where he goes up close and personal with his opponents, unfortunately for him, Figueroa was game and damaged the defending champion’s nose which started to bleed in round five.

Going into the second half of the fight, Figueroa’s team instructed him to be on the front foot.

Ball rocked his opponent’s head back with multiple straight lefts in the seventh. Figueroa on the other hand was not deterred and continued his assault to the body. 

Round eight was the turning point. 

Figueroa’s right-left to Ball’s body gave him the confidence to keep chasing the defending champion whose activity was quickly decreasing. 

For someone like Ball who is known for his stamina, it was odd to see fatigue creep in. 

Figueroa did not need a second chance and after a right to the body in round 11, he continued to increase the pressure on Ball and floored him with a left hand 10 seconds into the twelfth. 

Ball managed to meet the referee’s count before being sent through the ropes by Figueroa shortly after which resulted in the referee to stopping the contest. 

Celebrations ensued, however, with Ball not looking in great condition, a melee was sparked between the fighter’s two teams. 

Once the chaos calmed down after Ball rose to his feet, Figueroa was able to enjoy a third world title triumph.

Who could new world champion Figueroa fight next?

When it comes to what’s next for Figueroa, he stated post-fight that a contest in his home state of Texas must be next. 

If that is the case, there are a myriad of options. 

First, a possible trilogy with Stephen Fulton. Figueroa has already lost twice to his fellow American, but they were close and entertaining contests. 

There could also be a unification with newly crowned WBC champion Bruce Carrington eager to face the winner of Ball-Figueroa.

Therefore, an all-American showdown in the summer could keep the momentum going for what is a big year for boxing Stateside. 

Then there is Luis Albeto Lopez who has called out Figueroa, and with the latter now holding a world title, it could be the right time to settle this simmering rivalry. 

While Figueroa needs to enjoy the fruits of his labour, his next move as WBA featherweight champion is an exciting one.

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