Carry That Weight: What next for Nick Ball after shock Brandon Figueroa loss?

The fallout from Nick Ball's sensational last-round loss to Brandon Figueroa appears likely to rumble on across the week after Saturday's result.

The defending WBA featherweight champion was put down twice early in the final three minutes, conceding his belt to the American in defeat.

It marked a first career reverse for the 'Wrecking Ball', and in front of his hometown crowd no less, as Liverpool's M&S Bank Arena was silenced.

Ball did not stick around for the belt presentation, while fellow fighter Andrew Cain was involved in an altercation with Figueroa's entourage too.

The Ring

But while the dust settles on Merseyside, the star - now 23-1-1 across his professional career - faces a choice over what comes next for his career.

Here, DAZN News profiles the likely options for Ball - and just what they will mean for the next phase of a glittering reputation now in need of a shine.

Remain and regroup at featherweight

Perhaps the most likely option, Ball's tenure as one of the division's leading champions has seen him establish himself with grit and guile in the ring.

Yet he never managed to earn those shots at unification that long eluded him, having aired his frustration over an inability to land the biggest rivals.

Newly-minted WBC champion Bruce Carrington had expressed an interest in a bout if he had beaten Figueroa - and Ball's reputation may keep him too.

His lustre may have been dinted, but this is a division that he knows like the back of his hand. Impressive rankings will surely remain next to his name.

They say there is no place like home - and despite a first career loss, there may only be one or two fights between Ball and another title in this class.

Cut the weight and pursue Inoue

Long-linked to 'The Monster' a super-bout with four-weight world champion Naoya Inoue has been high on the agenda for some time for the Briton.

Of course, with no belt to entice the Japanese prizefighter, there is little chance that the current super-bantamweight kingpin would switch tracks now.

Perhaps defeat here is the wake-up call for Ball to cut his losses at featherweight, shed another four pounds and make the move down to chase him.

It is a big ask - the star has spoken before about the cut being tough on his frame - and Inoue will have bigger fish to possibly fry over the rest of 2026.

Mark Robinson / Matchroom Boxing

But at the same time, Ball would be one of the biggest draws he could face, a former world champion with a near-spotless record. It is still a fine prospect.

Add the pounds and step up

Conversely, Ball might choose to go the other way, and possibly set up a crack at two-weight champion status in another division entirely with his move.

Super-featherweight is currently a fractured class, but fellow Merseysider Jazza Dickens is one man who might be willing to give Ball a crack at the crown.

The current WBA champion has his own big defence coming up, against former IBF title holder Anto Cacace across St. Patrick's Day weekend in Dublin.

If Dickens does come through however, it would make for a terrific domestic bout, while Ball could also target glory against several other major contenders.

Queensberry Promotions

Arguably, even with his stature and size, the extra weight could benefit him better than cutting down, particularly after Figueroa exploited his shortcomings.

Hang up the gloves for good?

This is a bit of a curveball, given Ball is arguably in the prime of his career still - but might he consider calling time, and leave the gloves in the ring instead?

It seems unlikely, but stranger things have happened, and a first professional loss may realign his view, along with what longevity he has to give to boxing.

Already working with younger fighters and guiding a new generation with his influence and advice, a move into coaching could beckon for the Liverpudlian.

He wouldn't be the first. Sunny Edwards brought the curtain down after his world title stint back in late 2024, and has since forged a strong career as a trainer.

Ball owes the sport nothing after his reign at the summit. But that being said, he would surely want to end matters on his own terms rather than like this.

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