The WBA orders Nick Ball to defend his featherweight belt against Brandon Figueroa, with a deadline of November 12 to reach an agreement. If no deal is made, the fight will go to a purse bid. Ball, a 23-year-old undefeated fighter (23-0-1 with 13 KOs), won the title in June 2024 by defeating Raymond Ford via split decision. However, none of his subsequent defenses have been against a mandatory challenger. In contrast, Figueroa, a former two-division titleholder (26-2-1 with 19 KOs), brings a strong resume. He previously held the WBC belt at both 122lbs and 126lbs, losing to Stephen Fulton in both instances. Figueroa's recent win against Joet Gonzalez in July, which some felt could have gone the other way, sets the stage for an intriguing showdown. The WBA's announcement emphasizes the importance of Ball's defense against the next leading contender within nine months of his championship win, making Figueroa the mandatory opponent.
