This Saturday, February 7, the Echo Area in Liverpool will host a showdown between two tireless warriors. Undefeated hometown favourite Nick Ball makes the fourth protection of his WBA featherweight world title towards former two-division world champion Brandon Figueroa.
With each fighters recognized for his or her relentless punch output, these are the strategic keys which are more likely to determine the result:
1. Distance and vary administration
Regardless of being the champion, Nick Ball (23-0-1, 13 KOs) faces a transparent bodily drawback. He stands simply 5-foot-2, in comparison with Figueroa’s 5-foot-9 body. Nonetheless, Ball has constructed his profession by breaking down taller opponents. For the Brit, the important thing shall be closing the space shortly, shrinking the ring and forcing the combat into shut quarters, the place his low middle of gravity permits him to land hooks and uppercuts from awkward angles that longer fighters battle to defend.
2. Combating on the within
Not like many tall fighters, Brandon Figueroa (26-2-1, 19 KOs) could be very comfy preventing on the within—in truth, it’s his wheelhouse. “The Heartbreaker” thrives in close-range exchanges, utilizing his attain to smother opponents with a relentless stream of punches, significantly to the physique. If Figueroa chooses to commerce with Ball within the middle of the ring, the combat may flip right into a grueling conflict of attrition the place sturdiness and chin shall be decisive.
3. The battle to the physique
Most analysts agree the physique would be the major goal. Ball tends to barely expose his midsection when unleashing energy combos, a vulnerability Figueroa—among the best left-hook-to-the-body punchers within the division—will look to use. On the opposite aspect, Ball will purpose to sluggish the American’s motion early, stopping Figueroa from counting on his jab to regulate distance within the later rounds.
4. The hometown issue
Nick Ball fights in his hometown, driving the momentum of current victories over Sam Goodman and TJ Doheny. His aggressive fashion is designed to interrupt an opponent’s will. Figueroa has warned that he’s no stranger to hostile territory, however he’ll want to remain tactically disciplined to keep away from getting swept up within the frenzy that the Liverpool crowd will generate with each surge from their champion.
A quick-paced combat is predicted. If Ball can constantly penetrate Figueroa’s guard and maintain the tempo, he enters as the favourite to retain his title by choice. Nonetheless, if Figueroa manages to impose his dimension and sustained physique assault, a change of energy at 126 kilos earlier than the ultimate bell could be very a lot in play.
