A high-pressure featherweight title fight takes place in Liverpool, England on Saturday, February 7, 2026, as undefeated WBA champion Nick Ball (23-0-1, 13 KOs) defends his belt against former interim champion and high-volume pressure fighter Brandon Figueroa (26-2-1, 19 KOs) at M&S Bank Arena. Ball brings relentless aggression, compact power, and a surging run through the division, while Figueroa arrives with size, volume, and a history of dragging opponents into exhausting, high-output battles.
This matchup blends Ball’s forward-driving pressure with Figueroa’s nonstop punch output, creating a stylistic collision that promises pace, tension, and long stretches of trench warfare. With Ball listed as a strong favorite at -350 in boxing betting odds, the oddsmakers expect his pressure and form to hold, but Figueroa’s size, engine, and willingness to trade make him a live underdog in a fight that could swing on conditioning and control of range.
Nick Ball vs. Brandon Figueroa Fight Preview
Nick Ball, age 28, enters at 23-0-1 with 13 knockouts and three successful WBA title defenses. At 5 '2, the Kirkby native fights with a compact, aggressive, come-forward style built on pressure, awkward angles, and constant activity. His recent run includes a unanimous decision over Sam Goodman, a 10th-round RTD of TJ Doheny, a 10th-round TKO of Ronny Rios, a split decision win over Raymond Ford, a draw with Rey Vargas, and a unanimous decision over Isaac Dogboe.
Ball’s strength lies in his ability to shrink the ring, force exchanges, and overwhelm opponents with physicality and persistence. His style is built on pressure, and he embraces it: “I hardly go back… I’m always pressuring, pushing the fight.” If he can get inside Figueroa’s reach and turn the fight into a rugged, close-quarters contest, he becomes extremely difficult to outwork.
His challenge is navigating Figueroa’s height, length, and volume. Ball must avoid getting stuck at mid-range, where Figueroa’s output can pile up quickly. Cutting distance, slipping the first shot, and forcing inside exchanges are essential if he wants to control the rhythm.
Brandon Figueroa, age 29, enters at 26-2-1 with 19 knockouts and a reputation as one of boxing’s most relentless pressure fighters. At 5’9”, he brings a massive height and reach advantage over Ball, along with a style built on nonstop punching, body work, and stamina. His recent results include a unanimous decision over Joet Gonzalez, a loss to Stephen Fulton, a 9th-round KO of Jessie Magdaleno, a unanimous decision over Mark Magsayo, a 6th-round TKO of Carlos Castro, and a majority-decision loss to Fulton in their first meeting.
Figueroa’s biggest strength is his ability to drown opponents in volume. He thrives in chaos and embraces war: “I’m prepared to throw as many punches as I can… If it turns into a war, I’m prepared for it.” His size and output give him a clear path to winning rounds if he can keep the fight at mid-range or force Ball backward.
His challenge is handling Ball’s compact explosiveness and ability to slip inside. If Ball consistently closes distance and forces tight-range exchanges, Figueroa’s length becomes less of an advantage, and his defense — historically porous — becomes a liability.
Nick Ball vs. Brandon Figueroa Predictions
With Ball entering as a -350 favorite in boxing betting odds, oddsmakers expect his pressure, form, and momentum to carry the night. The tactical question is whether Ball can consistently get inside Figueroa’s reach or whether Figueroa’s size and volume can keep him at bay.
Expect Ball to start fast, apply pressure, and look to collapse distance early. Figueroa’s best path is to establish his jab, maintain mid-range, and use his length to force Ball into extended exchanges where his volume can take over.
If Ball controls distance and forces the fight into close-quarters, his aggression and accuracy give him the edge. If Figueroa can maintain space and turn this into a high-output, long-range battle, he becomes a far more dangerous underdog than the line suggests.
Lean: Ball by decision, with Figueroa having strong moments but struggling to consistently keep Ball off him over 12 rounds.
Nick Ball vs. Brandon Figueroa Betting Tips
Moneyline
- Nick Ball is listed at -350 and that makes him a strong favorite with pressure, form, and home-crowd advantage.
- Brandon Figueroa is listed at +281 and he is a live underdog with size, volume, and the ability to flip rounds with output.
Method of Victory
- Ball by decision is the most stable angle given Figueroa’s durability and Ball’s grinding style.
- Figueroa by decision is the most realistic upset path if he can maintain range and out-volume Ball.
Props
- Fight goes the distance aligns with both fighters’ durability and work rate.
- Ball by points offers value relative to his moneyline.
Rounds & Totals
- Over 10.5 rounds (-335) is priced heavily but fits the matchup.
- Under 10.5 (+251) is a sharp-side play only if you believe Ball’s pressure or Figueroa’s volume breaks the other man down late.
Nick Ball vs. Brandon Figueroa Key Stats & Tale of the Tape
- Nick Ball: 23-0-1 (13 KOs), age 28, height 5’2”, orthodox. Relentless pressure fighter with awkward angles and compact power.
- Brandon Figueroa: 26-2-1 (19 KOs), age 29, height 5’9”, orthodox. High-volume puncher with size, reach, and stamina.
- Records & Form: Ball unbeaten with three title defenses; Figueroa 4-2 in his last six with elite-level experience.
- Physical Edge: Figueroa holds major height and reach advantages; Ball holds advantages in pressure, explosiveness, and consistency.
- Venue & Broadcast: M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool, England — DAZN.
The tale of the tape highlights a compelling contrast: Ball’s compact aggression and pressure versus Figueroa’s size, volume, and engine. Ball brings momentum and control, while Figueroa brings danger, output, and the ability to turn any round into a firefight. The edges tilt toward Ball’s pressure and consistency, but the matchup is volatile, and should be far more competitive than the odds suggest.
