- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Weslaco Today
By the People, for the People
Brandon Figueroa Stuns Nick Ball with 12th Round KO to Claim WBA Featherweight Title
The upset victory on Ball's home turf in Merseyside leaves the boxing world buzzing about the sport's future.
Apr. 12, 2026 at 6:52pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
A cubist interpretation of the climactic knockout that saw Brandon Figueroa dethrone defending champion Nick Ball and claim the WBA featherweight title.Weslaco TodayIn a shocking upset, Brandon Figueroa defeated defending champion Nick Ball with a devastating 12th round knockout to claim the WBA featherweight world title. The dramatic finish came after Figueroa landed a massive left hook that sent Ball crashing to the canvas, before following up with a relentless assault that left the champion unable to continue. Figueroa's victory was the culmination of a meticulously executed game plan and months of sacrifice, though his exuberant post-fight celebration sparked some controversy.
Why it matters
Figueroa's upset victory over the previously undefeated Ball not only shakes up the featherweight division, but also raises questions about the future direction of boxing. With a slate of highly anticipated fights on the horizon, including the returns of stars like Tyson Fury and Conor Benn, the sport appears to be entering a new golden era - though some wonder if the current surge in talent is sustainable.
The details
In the 12th and final round, Figueroa landed a massive left hook that sent Ball crashing to the canvas. The defending champion bravely rose to his feet, but Figueroa sensed the moment and rushed in, hammering Ball into the ropes to seal the dramatic knockout victory. Figueroa's win was the culmination of a carefully crafted game plan and months of intense preparation, having spent three months away from his family in Los Angeles to train in a different time zone.
- The fight took place on February 7, 2026.
- Figueroa landed the decisive knockout blow in the 12th round.
The players
Brandon Figueroa
The new WBA featherweight world champion, who pulled off a stunning upset victory over the previously undefeated Nick Ball.
Nick Ball
The defending WBA featherweight champion, who suffered his first professional defeat at the hands of Figueroa.
What they’re saying
“Nothing but respect to the champion and the crowd. Nick Ball is a gritty, tough fighter. He wasn't going anywhere, but I caught him with that short left hook and finished it.”
— Brandon Figueroa
“Figueroa did nothing wrong. He's celebrating the win of all wins—why shouldn't he jump around?”
— Barry Jones, Former world champion
What’s next
Figueroa has his sights set on unifying the featherweight division and bringing a title fight to his hometown fans in Weslaco, Texas.
The takeaway
Figueroa's upset victory over the previously undefeated Ball not only shakes up the featherweight division, but also raises questions about the future direction of boxing. With a slate of highly anticipated fights on the horizon, the sport appears to be entering a new golden era - though some wonder if the current surge in talent is sustainable.
