Ball dramatically stopped in 12th to lose world titleImage source, QueensberryImage caption, Nick Ball had never been stopped or beaten in his professional careerByKal SajadBBC Sport at M&S Bank Arena, LiverpoolPublished36 minutes agoNick Ball’s reign as WBA featherweight world champion ended in dramatic fashion as the British boxer was stopped in the 12th round by Brandon Figueroa in front of stunned home fans in Liverpool.After 11 closely contested rounds, in which Ball was at times typically bullish on the inside and Figueroa responded with relentless volume, the fight turned in an instant.Seconds into the final round at M&S Bank Arena, Figueroa landed a flush straight left that sent Ball crashing to the canvas. The 28-year-old beat the count but looked unsteady, and a sharp follow-up combination forced the referee to wave it off.Ugly scenes followed as beer and objects were thrown towards the ring after a brief altercation, with members of Ball’s team unhappy about the manner of Figueroa’s celebrations while the deposed champion was recovering.”I’m sorry [for the celebration], we didn’t mean anything, we were just excited. Sorry about that,” Figueroa reported.”Big shout out to Nick Ball, he is a great Liverpool champion and one of the best England have ever had. I have nothing but respect for him.”In his fourth defence of the world title, Ball – who left the arena without giving a post-fight interview – suffered the first defeat of his professional career, having previously gone 24 fights unbeaten with one draw.The result scuppers his hopes of unification bouts and brings to an end a positive run of results for British boxing on the global stage following Dalton Smith and Josh Kelly’s world title triumphs in January.American Figueroa, meanwhile, becomes a three-weight world champion in his 30th pro bout.Figueroa stops Ball to claim WBA title from Briton – reaction
