Nick Ball will have to put his unification plans on ice after being ordered by the WBA to make a mandatory defense of his featherweight title against Brandon Figueroa.
The sanctioning body has given both camps until November 12 to reach an agreement, after which a purse bid will be scheduled if no deal is finalized.
Ball last defended his belt in August, scoring a unanimous decision win over Sam Goodman in a competitive but controlled performance. Before that, the Liverpudlian made two emphatic defenses, stopping TJ Doheny and Ronny Rios inside ten rounds.
The 28-year-old has repeatedly expressed interest in a unification bout, particularly against WBO champion Rafael Espinoza. However, for now, those ambitions will have to wait as he fulfills his mandatory obligations.
Figueroa, also 28, earned his position as the WBA’s No. 1 contender after a points win over Joet Gonzalez in July. The Texan has also built an impressive résumé in recent years, with victories against Carlos Castro, Mark Magsayo, and Jessie Magdaleno, though he twice fell short against Stephen Fulton - first in 2021 while defending his WBC super bantamweight crown, and again in their rematch last year at featherweight.
Since moving up to 126 lbs, Figueroa has looked physically stronger and more comfortable, while Ball continues to rise as one of Britain’s most exciting champions.
If negotiations are completed in time, the fight would likely take place in early 2026.
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