WBA featherweight champion Nick Ball has hit back at mandatory challenger Brandon Figueroa after the American questioned who would want the victory more when they meet on February 7 at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool. Ball, of Everton Red Triangle, insisted no one will want it more than him in his home city.
Figueroa said the bout would come down to who wants it more, but Ball retorted: 'I don't think anyone will want it more than me in my home city, Liverpool, and it is something that I worked so hard for in my life. I am not just going to let him come over and take it.'
Ball won the WBA belt from Raymond Ford in June 2024 in Riyadh and has since defended it against Ronny Rios, TJ Doheny and Sam Goodman, whom he outpointed in August. 'There's more to my game than pressure,' Ball said. 'It's clever boxing. I can go on the inside or on the back foot.'
Figueroa, a former two-weight world champion (26-2-1, 19 KOs) from Weslaco, Texas, said he wants the best competition. 'He's a world champion for a reason,' Figueroa said. 'I want to take that belt back home. I will try and do everything in my power.'
On the undercard, Andrew Cain will face Alejandro Jair Gonzalez to determine the next challenger for the WBC bantamweight title. Cain said: 'We have been working hard for years and years for nights like this.'
