Chaos in Liverpool: Figueroa Silences Echo Arena with 12th-Round Fireworks
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 08 Feb 2026
In a sport where inches define legacies, Brandon Figueroa just traveled the distance of a lifetime with a single left hand.
On a cold Saturday night at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, England, the boxing world witnessed a "Fight of the Year" contender reach a violent, cinematic crescendo. Brandon "The Heartbreaker" Figueroa reclaimed his status as world champion, snatching the WBA Featherweight title from local hero Nick Ball via a dramatic, heart-stopping 12th-round TKO.
Judges' scores before the stoppage: Marcus McDonnell 106-103 Figueroa; Glenn Feldman 106-103 Figueroa; Jean Robert Laine 107-102 Ball.
For eleven rounds, the Echo Arena was a pressure cooker. The tactical narrative was clear from the opening bell:
Figueroa (27-2-1, 20 KOs): The relentless volume-puncher from Weslaco, Texas, lived up to his "Man of War" reputation, constantly marching forward into the fire.
Ball (23-1-1, 13 KOs): The pride of Liverpool was surgical. Ball countered the Texan's volume with heavy, precise artillery that seemed to have the champion ahead on many ringside cards heading into the final frame.
It was a grueling, "nip and tuck" affair. Every time Figueroa tried to overwhelm Ball with his signature swarm, the Scouser responded with thudding shots that rocked the challenger’s head back.
As the bell rang for the 12th, Ball appeared to be three minutes away from his fourth successful title defense. Then, the world shifted.
Just seconds into the round, Figueroa found the gap he had been hunting for all night. A lethal short left cross—timed with the precision of a guillotine—crashed into Ball’s chin. The champion didn't just fall; he went flat on his stomach, the air momentarily sucked out of the arena.
"I knew I had to finish it," Figueroa said in the post-fight adrenaline blur. "I didn't come to Liverpool for a decision. I came for the belt."
Though Ball showed the immense heart that made him a champion by beating the count, he was a "dead man walking." Figueroa sensed the kill, swarming Ball with a ferocious combination that sent him tumbling into the ropes. Referee Steve Gray began the count, but seeing Ball’s glazed eyes and sagging posture, he wisely waved off the contest.
Official Time: 0:32 of Round 12.
The victory marks a triumphant return to the mountaintop for Figueroa. Almost exactly a year after losing his WBC title to Stephen Fulton in Las Vegas, the Texan proved his grit travels well across the Atlantic.
For Nick Ball, the defeat is a bitter pill. It marks the first loss of his professional career, ending a dominant run that began with his title win over Raymond Ford in 2024. Despite the loss, Ball’s stock remains high after a performance that solidified him as one of the most dangerous featherweights on the planet.
As Figueroa hoisted the WBA belt toward the rafters, the silent Echo Arena knew they had seen a classic—and a new king of the 126-pounders.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
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