The Friday Faceup

The historic Liverpool waterfront, a World Heritage Site, is the iconic scene tomorrow night (February 7) for potentially a ‘fight of the year’ match-up which we expect to deliver.

The cavernous and atmospheric M&S Bank Arena, set in the re-generated Liverpool Albert Dock, is where the WBA featherweight (9st/126lbs) title will be up for grabs. Hometown hero Nick Ball will attempt to win a fourth and mandatory defence of his ‘world’ title against tall American and two-time world belt-holder Brandon Figueroa.

‘Wrecking’ Ball (23-0-1, 13 KOs) comes in as The Ring magazine #3 ranked featherweight. ‘The Heartbreaker’ Figueroa (26-2-1, 19 KOs) is at #7. Both fighters are aged 28.

Either; Ball in particular, are possibly just a victory or two from fighting multi-weight world champion Naoya Inoue, as the Japanese looks to win a title in a fifth weight class. ‘Monster’ Inoue currently campaigns at a division below and a move up is expected.

Hall-of-fame promoter Frank Warren’s Queensberry have titled Saturday’s card ‘A Tall Order’ in reference to the height differential between the two main event fighters. Ball being seven inches shorter than the long, rangy Figueroa. The champion is though used to being the shorter in the ring and has always (bar a disputed draw) prevailed.

The challenger has fought in very good company and only lost his WBC interim ‘world’ 126lbs title to the excellent and world class Stephen Fulton.

It promises to be a classic contest between a British pressure fighter and a skilled and talented American southpaw, bringing back fond memories in the city of former WBC light-heavyweight champion John Conteh defending his world title fifty-odd years ago. Ball will have similar backing to undoubtedly spur him on. He does though possess the talent and desire to match his vocal fanbase with actions.

With the champion having had a six-month layoff it may take him a few rounds to get fully into the fight. Ball likes to mix it and uses an attritional style and good conditioning to outwork his opponents, usually down the stretch. That’s how we see it on Saturday.

We expect the challenger to build up an early lead by using his superior reach and moving off the jab, but not be afraid to mix it should he get inside. He enters the fight very confident of victory.

We figure Ball’s pressure and the large target on offer to land his body shots will eventually slow the American down and, once cornered, the champion will stop him inside ten rounds. It will though be exciting whilst it lasts.

Chief support is a WBC bantamweight title eliminator between Liverpool’s Andrew Cain (14-1, 12 KOs) and Mexican Alejandro Jair Gonzalez (19-6-3, 11 KOs). The Liverpudlian has been waiting some time to get his opportunity to fight for a world belt after an early surprising career defeat. He is now perfectly placed and tuned to capitalize, but the Mexican will have his own motivations.

Cain is also a skilled pressure fighter and will be met head-on but we expect his local fanbase to carry him home to a world title shot next. Thus, making it an excellent double for this fighting city.

The full card will be shown live and exclusive on DAZN and main event also broadcast on TalkSport radio.

Update: All four boxers featured in the two main fights comfortably made the divisional weight limits. Fights on !