Brandon Figueroa stops Nick Ball to win WBA featherweight in Liverpool
A frantic fight was neck-and-neck before dramatic 12th round
American fighter Figueroa drops Ball twice before referee stops contest
Ugly scenes in the crowd as hometown fighter beaten for first time in career
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Image source, QueensberryThat's all from us for this live text.
Brendon Figueroa lived up to his nickname - 'The Heartbreaker' - to end Nick Ball's reign as the WBA featherweight champion.
If you missed the bout then catch up via Kal Sajad's ringside report.
Thanks, as always, for coming along for the ride.
We'll see you on the next one!
Image source, Getty ImagesLauren Price returns to the ring for the first time in 13 months when she defends her WBA, WBC and IBF welterweight titles against Stephanie Pineiro Aquino on 4 April at Cardiff's Utilita Arena.
The fight will be shown live on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. Wales' Price beat Liverpool's Natasha Jonas in her last bout to extend her perfect record to nine victories.
"Defending my world titles at home in Wales means everything to me. I want to repay the support everyone has shown me with another great performance," Price said.
"I never turn down a challenge. Stephanie Pineiro Aquino is a dangerous fighter, but nothing is going to stop me from getting my hand raised on April 4 in Cardiff. Yma o hyd."
Puerto Rican Aquino is unbeaten in 10 professional fights.
Figueroa beats Ball by stoppage
After 11 rounds, two judges had Brendon Figueroa leading 106-103 and one scored it 107-102 in favour of Nick Ball.
Judge Jean Robert Lane, who had Ball in front, gave Figueroa just three rounds.
Thoughts?
Image source, QueensberryFigueroa beats Ball by stoppage
That loss for Nick Ball also means the tally of current British male world champions drops down to five.
And none of those five champions have made a single defence, with two of them - Fabio Wardley and Jazza Dickens - both being upgraded rather than winning the belt in a ring.
Big shoutout to the four British female world champions - Caroline Dubois, Terri Harper, Lauren Price and Ellie Scotney - ensuring we are pretty well represented.
That number could be reduced down to three or even shoot up to six (would need a draw in Dubois v Harper!) on 5 April when Dubois and Harper meet in a unification bout, while Emma Dolan and Chantelle Cameron are also challenging for titles on the same card in London.
Image source, Getty ImagesIt was confirmed last week that Briton Derek Chisora and American Deontay Wilder will meet at London's O2 Arena on 4 April.
Both heavyweights will step into the ring for their 50th fight and their could be a big prize on the table for the winner, with a possible world title bout on the line.
They have both been outspoken figures throughout their career but they kept it very respectful at a news conference earlier this week - even heading for fish and chips at London's Borough Market.
Chisora continually described Wilder as his "brother" and even said he might go on holiday to Alabama, where Wilder lives, with his family after the bout.
Terrific fight tonight, Nick Ball should be very proud of himself… Taking on a guy (not to mention a first-rate fighter in his own right) that’s seven inches taller is - as the tagline suggested - A Tall Order. Ball was full of heart and industry, I’d LOVE to see a rematch… Over to you, Brandon!!
Anonymous
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Ball beats Figueroa by stoppage
Brendon Figueroa threw more than 1,000 punches in his last fight when beating Joet Gonzalez.
The American didn't quite reach those highs against Nick Ball but, as you can see above, he still posted some pretty impressive numbers.
And Ball actually landed more punches despite throwing almost 200 fewer.
Congratulations to Brandon Figueroa for fighting the near punch-perfect fight. A new champion is born. However, serious recognition needs to be afforded to Nick Ball even in defeat - the hardest-working champion in world boxing. Both a credit to the sport. Rematch, please!
Paul
Figueroa beats Ball by stoppage
Brandon Figueroa speaking after his victory: "I am so excited! I want to thank God and my team and I'm proud to be Mexican-American.
"I am grateful to the fans here in Liverpool, I am very excited to be champion again. Big shoutout to Nick Ball, he is a great Liverpool champion and one of the best England have ever had. I have nothing but respect for him.
"I'm sorry [for the celebration], we didn't mean anything, we were just excited. Sorry about that.
"I felt I was dominating. Nick wasn't going anywhere but I caught him with that left hook and I just went out and finished it.
"I worked really hard in the gym, I have been away from my family for three months. We came out overseas 10 days in advance. Shoutout to the team and my family."
When asked what's next: "I just want to fight in my home town. Let's unify. I always want the best of the best, but I feel like my fans back home deserve a fight. We're going to go back to the drawing board, re-assess this fight and get back to work."
Image source, QueensberryFigueroa beats Ball by stoppage
This was a mandatory defence for Nick Ball and it could be argued that ignoring opportunities to unify in order to wait for Naoya Inoue to move up to featherweight has backfired.
I would certainly be interested in seeing a rematch between Ball and Brendon Figueroa, but would the American rather look at the other champions?
Ball is still only 28 and has plenty of options available.
Image source, QueensberryFigueroa beats Ball by stoppage
That's a first defeat for Ball and will be tough to take.
The fight looked a close run affair before the knockout and it will be interesting to see how the scorecards were looking after 11 rounds.
Image source, QueensberryGreat fight and congratulations to Figueroa he was aggressive right from the start and just kept putting the pressure on Ball. Would love to see a rematch.
Anonymous
Absolutely gutted for Ball. He will come back stronger.
Anonymous
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Figueroa beats Ball by stoppage
Darren Barker
Former world middleweight champion on DAZN
Bundles and bundles of heart and self-belief from Brandon Figueroa.
After ten rounds, I had it five each and I gave Nick the eleventh. I preferred his counter punching.
Figueroa beats Ball by stoppage
It was a straight left that put Ball down for the first time.
The Liverpudlian got back to his feet but Figueroa sensed a stoppage was on the cards and unloaded. A left-right-left combination completed the job.
Ball fell through the ropes and attempted to get back up to beat the count but it was waved off by the referee.
A huge win for Figueroa.
Image source, QueensberryBall v Figueroa
Barry Jones
Former world champion on DAZN
Figueroa did nothing wrong there, I think. He is celebrating the win of all wins, why should he not jump around and celebrate?
Ball v Figueroa
The crowd are not happy and objects are being thrown into the ring.
There was a bit of an altercation in the ring too. It seems some of Ball's team are not happy in the way that Figueroa celebrated that victory as the Liverpudlian was still recovering.
Andrew Cain appears to aim a kick at one of Figueroa's cornermen too.
Not what we want to see.
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, QueensberryBall v Figueroa
It's all over.
The contest is waved off.
Image source, Queensberry
Image source, QueensberryBall v Figueroa
And again.
Ball v Figueroa
A touch of gloves.
Ball is down.
Image source, Queensberry
Image source, QueensberryBall v Figueroa
Darren Barker
Former world middleweight champion on DAZN
Figueroa's aggression has been good but I've liked Nick Ball on the back foot. To win, it has to be effective aggression.
