Turki Alalshikh sends invitation to Brandon Figueroa after sensational Nick Ball win

On February 7, at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, Nick Ball vs Brandon Figueroa headlined a Queensberry Promotions card, live on DAZN.

Ball was defending his WBA featherweight title and was the red-hot favourite to successfully defend it. Figueroa entered the bout as battle-hardened, but had arguably not delivered a dominating performance since defeating Mark Magsayo in 2023. 

Ball-Figueroa was ultimately a close and competitive fight, with the Texan fighter winning via a dramatic last-round TKO to become the new WBA champion. Following the fight, Turki Alalshikh made an X post, delivering an invitation to Figueroa to fight in a future Mexico vs the world card.

Brandon Figueroa stuns Nick Ball in Liverpool

Ball started the fight brightly and landed an eye-catching uppercut. Both men refused to wilt on the inside, throwing a high number of punches. Despite Ball (23-1-1, 13 KOs) being known for his relentless fighting style, Figueroa (27-2-1, 19 KOs) continued to come forward and meet Ball head-on.

It was an entertaining, competitive fight, which took a dramatic turn in the final round, with Figueroa landing a well-timed left hook that sent Ball to the canvas, leaving the M&S Arena stunned. Ball was clearly on unsteady legs, but referee Steve Gray allowed the fight to continue, and Figueroa pounced, landing a barrage of punches that sent Ball through the ropes and led to the fight being waved off.

Some unsavoury reactions from Team Ball followed, but Figueroa was the new WBA featherweight world champion.

Turki Alalshikh invites Brandon Figueroa

Alalshikh’s invite to Figueroa read:

“A huge congratulations to Brandon Figueroa for showing his character by taking the risk and traveling to the champion’s backyard to capture the WBA featherweight championship with a great knockout in the final round. We want to see you defend your title for the first time on September 12 in Riyadh, when we stage Mexico vs. The World – featuring the return of Mexican superstar Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in the main event.”

Should Figueroa accept Alalshikh’s invitation, a unification fight would make most sense, with the other champions Bruce Carrington (WBC), Angelo Leo (IBF), and Rafael Espinoza (WBO) all presenting a great challenge for the new WBA champion.