Crocker, Dickens, Wardley: Which British world champion is most in danger after Nick Ball loss?

And then there were five.

Nick Ball's homecoming turned to ashes on Saturday night as the WBA featherweight champion saw his reign cut short by Brandon Figueroa.

At one point the lone flagbearer for British male boxing on the world stage, the Liverpool fighter's tenure is over after a brutal final-round loss.

The signs were there, perhaps. Half-a-foot taller and with a superior range, Figueroa had the clear advantage in size to make trouble for Ball.

The Ring

But more than that, the American was already a former two-weight champion, including a nine-month stint as WBC king in this very division.

It seems strange in hindsight that he felt like such an outsider to many. Only Stephen Fulton has managed to unlock him - twice - in the ring.

Now however, it is Ball on the outside looking in - and he may not be the only one of his countrymen at risk of seeing their incumbent run end.

As a new dawn continues to creep over Merseyside, DAZN News profiles the rest of the United Kingdom's champion ranks - and where their risks lie now.

Lewis Crocker (IBF welterweight, September 2025)

Now the longest-tenured title holder from the United Kingdom at a shade under five months, 'The Croc' is yet to make a title defence of his own.

That will all change imminently. After rival Paddy Donovan pulled out of a final eliminator, it is ex-IBF light-welterweight star Liam Paro he faces.

Mark Robinson / Matchroom Boxing

Crocker has the belief he can beat anyone, but a switch of trainer after last year's triumphant Windsor Park coronation offers pause for thought.

Two knockdowns in the first half of his rematch with Donovan swung the result his way, but the star appears to sense a need for improvement.

Throw in the fact that Paro's promoters won the purse bid over Matchroom, and Crocker must likely make his first fight as champion in Australia.

The Northern Irishman has guile and tenacity, but against an opponent boasting home advantage and hard-drilled skills, this is a very tough test.

Fabio Wardley (WBO heavyweight, November 2025)

The Ipswich fighter has made a habit of late momentum in his last few bouts, with come-from-behind wins over Justis Huni and Joseph Parker.

The latter saw him dethrone the New Zealander as WBO interim champion in October, with Oleksandr Usyk subsequently vacating a month later.

Queensberry/Leigh Dawney

Since then, Wardley has struggled to book his first defence, having been elevated after the Ukrainian denied him the chance to challenge instead.

Several names have been linked, including a clash with Derek Chisora, but rumours now swirl that ex-IBF title holder Daniel Dubois is in the frame.

The latter has not fought since Usyk flattened him in five rounds at Wembley Stadium, a chastening rematch for the undisputed heavyeweight crown.

Like Wardley, Dubois is one of the most dangerous power punchers out there, and banks experience too. It is a mouthwatering, but high-risk clash.

Jazza Dickens (WBA super-featherweight, December 2025)

A former British super-bantamweight champion, the Liverpool fighter took the long way round to earning a maiden major world strap late last year.

With his crown secured after Lamont Roach Jr. moved divisions, Dickens was due to defend it after Christmas at The Ring V: Night of the Samurai.

Queensberry Promotions

An injury to opponent Hayato Tsutsumi however forced a cancellation and has instead paved the way to a bout with Anto Cacace in Dublin next month.

Three years older, but with almost a dozen less fights on his body as a professional, 'The Apache' has already had one reign as IBF champion here.

That might explain why he is the bookies' favourite at this time, with Dickens instead considered the outsider for his first bout as a world champion.

It will only fire him up, of course, but the star does face a challenge given Cacace's recent record, sporting wins over Leigh Wood and Josh Warrington.

Dalton Smith (WBC super-lightweight, January 2026)

Hope had been high that the Sheffield fighter could offer a fine performance in his title challenge last month against Subriel Matías - and he delivered.

A fifth-round stoppage secured 'Thunder' the biggest win of his unbeaten career so far, catapulting him into the ranks of Britain's biggest boxing names.

Matchroom/Mohsin Hussain

His next bout is yet to be officially confirmed, but bar a change in circumstances, it appears Alberto Puello will be on course as a mandatory challenger.

A two-time champion in the division, Puello was dethroned himself as WBC title holder in July last year by Matias by majority decision for a first pro loss.

Smith will take immediate heart from the fact that he stopped the star's lone bogeyman, and in such emphatic style himself too, a key psychological boost.

But as a former champion, Puello will be far from a pushover, and could cause some serious concern for the Steel City man if they are to meet in the ring.

Josh Kelly (IBF super-welterweight, January 2026)

The latest champion to hail from British shores, 'Pretty Boy' made waves as he earned took Bakhram Murtazaliev's crown in Newcastle just last month.

The Sunderland fighter was roared on by a partisan crowd, and did enough to score a majority decision at the Utilita Arena, teeing up a massive 2026.

Mark Robinson / Matchroom Boxing

Of all the current champions in the mix, Kelly might have the largest pick of opponents and the luxury of time in which to settle on who he wants next.

He could well select a lower-ranked opponent to ease him further into champion status - or chase a big name that could help fill the Stadium of Light.

Conor Benn would be one man able to do that, while Jaron 'Boots' Ennis was reportedly contracted over a potential dance witht he Briton at one point.

Most recently, WBO champion Xander Zayas pushed for a potential unification encounter. All are tricky tasks, but Kelly's risk ratio isn't too bad right now.

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