Nick Ball defending the WBA featherweight title against Brandon Figueroa on February 7 brings his reign back to Liverpool and finally places his unbeaten run against a pressure fighter with rounds, scars, and real ring history.
Ball lifted the WBA belt from Raymond Ford in June 2024 in Riyadh and has stayed busy since, turning back Ronny Rios, TJ Doheny, and Sam Goodman. Those defences kept him unbeaten at 23-0-1 with 13 knockouts and built a routine around control, pace, and refusal to give ground. The February date at the M&S Bank Arena marks his fourth defence and his third title fight in his home city, streamed live on DAZN.
This pairing works less as celebration and more as examination. Ball has handled experienced opponents, yet none arrived with Figueroa’s blend of volume, resilience, and willingness to live inside exchanges. That changes the temperature.
Why Figueroa Changes The Shape Of Ball’s Reign
Figueroa comes in at 26-2-1 with 19 knockouts and a resume that stretches across divisions. He held the WBA super bantamweight belt in 2020, added the WBC version a year later, then moved up and collected interim status at featherweight. Losses to Stephen Fulton showed limits at elite speed, yet they also showed durability and output that never dips.
Since the second Fulton defeat, Figueroa steadied himself with a win over Joet Gonzalez in July. That fight mattered in terms of rounds and resistance. He did not rush. He worked. That approach suits a visit to Liverpool where Ball will look to press and shorten the ring early.
Ball’s strength has been consistency. He keeps his feet set, works the body, and stays compact under fire. Against Figueroa, those habits will be tested over sustained stretches rather than single moments.
Home Advantage Comes With Pressure
Frank Warren described the fight as reward and risk. “We are so proud of Nick and what he has accomplished and this is a glamour fight, against a recognised American talent, that he fully deserves to have in his home city,” Warren said.
He also acknowledged the danger. “Figueroa represents a genuine threat, but we believe Nick has the beating of everyone in the division and he will prove this over time.”
That belief will be measured round by round. Figueroa does not fade quietly. He forces exchanges and asks questions late. For Ball, this is less about noise and more about discipline. Hold position. Manage tempo. Do not let volume dictate terms.
Liverpool gets another title night. Ball gets a defence that asks something back.