Nick Ball Faces Common Problem As Figueroa Approaches

Nick Ball 125.11 vs. Brandon Figueroa 125.14

The emphasis in writing is often on the figures, but the figures here are head-turning to the master. The ball is actually a motorized fire extinguisher. Standing 5’2″ against a 5’9″ opponent, you enter the ring at a huge physical disadvantage. But as his recent race has shown, those numbers are deceiving. Football is not a box, so his lack of size may not affect him.

The problem with Figueroa is that Ball turns every fight into a phone fight. He doesn’t like the chess game in the classroom. He wants to lean on his person, then go straight to the body, and make that seven inch height difference feel like a burden.

Figueroa, however, is not your average featherweight. He throws punches in bunches and refuses to back down. This creates a strange paradox:

• Football Strategy: Make this a wrestling match. If it doesn’t lean back, isn’t strong, or doesn’t break in the ribs, you’re in trouble. He should be so close that Figueroa’s height becomes a liability.
• The Figueroa Factor: Usually, a tall man wants a place. Figueroa, however, threw over 1,000 punches in his last outing. He will not be running; he will be meeting with Bhola in the middle. The question is whether he can maintain that speed when compared to a man fighting with the force of a landslide.

Domestic Earth Pressure

It was Ball’s first return to Liverpool since last summer. Although the M&S Bank Arena will be a supportive venue, that energy can be a trap. If Ball gets caught up in the roar of the crowd and tries to hunt down a natural big man, he may find the championship rounds longer than expected.

Quick hits from the Undercard

• Bantamweight: Andrew Cain (117.8) and Alejandro Gonzalez (117.5) earned their marks by eliminating the WBC. Cain looks to keep his momentum going after stopping Charlie Edwards.
• Transportation: The match will start on Saturday at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool. You can catch the card live on DAZN from 7pm GMT / 2pm ET.