In a thrilling display of boxing prowess, Brandon Figueroa shattered the hopes of a packed Liverpool crowd, delivering a knockout blow to Nick Ball in the 12th and final round to claim the WBA featherweight title. This grueling contest, marked by its relentless pace and razor-thin margins, left fans and commentators fiercely divided—a true testament to the sport's unpredictability. But here's where it gets controversial: while Figueroa's victory was decisive, the fight itself was a coin toss, with scores wildly varying across social media and live discussions. Was Figueroa truly the better fighter, or did Ball simply run out of steam at the worst possible moment?
Just seconds into the final round, Figueroa (27-2-1, 20 KO) landed a picture-perfect left hand, catching Ball (23-1-1, 13 KO) off guard as he attempted to set up his own attack. Ball rose, but Figueroa smelled blood, closing the distance and sending the hometown favorite to the canvas again. Referee Steve Gray had no choice but to wave it off, just 32 seconds into the round. At that point, our unofficial scorecard at Bad Left Hook had Figueroa narrowly ahead, 105-104, mirroring the DAZN broadcast's observation that he was “slightly ahead” on the official cards. Did the judges get it right, or was Ball robbed of a chance to rally?
Figueroa's post-fight celebration was met with boos from the Liverpool crowd, prompting him to apologize, calling Ball a “great champion” and expressing “nothing but respect” for his opponent. And this is the part most people miss: despite the animosity, Figueroa's humility in victory adds a layer of respect to his triumph, showcasing the sportsmanship often overshadowed by the brutality of the ring.
Meanwhile, Andrew Cain’s comeback story stole the show in the undercard, as he rose from two eighth-round knockdowns to stop Alejandro Jair Gonzalez in the ninth, securing a WBC bantamweight title shot against Takuma Inoue. Cain (15-1, 13 KO) demonstrated heart and resilience, turning the tide with two knockdowns of his own. The 29-year-old Liverpudlian will likely travel to Japan to face Inoue, setting up a clash of contrasting styles that promises fireworks. Can Cain’s aggression overcome Inoue’s technical precision, or will he fall short on the global stage?
Gonzalez (19-7-3, 11 KO), however, protested the stoppage, turning his back on referee Mark Bates—a move that, while understandable in the heat of the moment, likely sealed his fate. Was the stoppage justified, or did Gonzalez deserve more time to recover? While it’s easy to criticize Bates’ decision, Gonzalez’s reaction gave him little choice. Boxing, after all, is rarely fair—but isn’t that what makes it so captivating?
What’s your take? Did Figueroa rightfully claim the title, or did Ball deserve a better fate? And can Andrew Cain dethrone Takuma Inoue in what promises to be a stylistic war? Let us know in the comments—this is one debate that’s far from over.
