Brandon Figueroa surprised many when he claimed the WBA featherweight title on Saturday night in Liverpool. He knocked out Nick Ball in the dramatic final round, making it his third world title win.
Figueroa, fighting outside the U.S. for the first time, started the 12th round strong. He landed a powerful left that sent Ball to the canvas just seconds into the round. Though Ball managed to get up, he was clearly hurt and couldn’t withstand Figueroa’s follow-up punches, which sent him crashing through the ropes. The referee ended the fight without a count.
Initially, Ball appeared the stronger fighter, landing more significant punches and controlling the early rounds. He used his speed well against Figueroa, who, despite his relentless pressure, struggled to connect.
But Figueroa turned the tide in the latter rounds, thanks in part to advice from his trainer, Manny Robles. Robles, who also trained Andy Ruiz Jr. for his upset win over Anthony Joshua, urged Figueroa to push forward and target Ball’s body. Figueroa executed the plan well, applying pressure that began to wear Ball down as the fight progressed.
Interestingly, this victory makes Figueroa a three-time champion. He previously won titles at super bantamweight and featherweight but lost both to Stephen Fulton. Now, his comeback seems to be on the rise.
Ball, who had been unbeaten before this match and defended his title three times, won the featherweight championship via a controversial split decision against Raymond Ford in June 2024.
In addition to Figueroa’s win, the undercard featured some captivating bouts, including Andrew Cain’s remarkable comeback. He was dropped twice in round eight but came back to win by TKO in the ninth.
While Figueroa celebrated his victory, social media buzzed with fan reactions. Many boxing enthusiasts expressed astonishment at the dramatic conclusion, with hashtags like #FigueroaKnockout trending.
Figueroa’s victory showcases how resilience and a solid game plan can lead to stunning results, a reminder that in boxing, anything is possible when the fight goes the distance.
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Brandon Figueroa, Nick Ball, WBA, featherweight
