Nick Ball faces a familiar problem as Figueroa approaches

Nick Ball 125.11 vs. Brandon Figueroa 125.14

Weigh articles often get bogged down in the math, but the math here is a headache for the champion. Ball is essentially a fire hydrant with a motor. He stands 5’2″ against a 5’9″ challenger and enters the ring with a massive physical handicap. But as his recent run has proven, these numbers are deceiving. Ball doesn’t box, so his lack of size may not affect him.

The problem for Figueroa is that Ball turns every fight into a phone booth fight. He is not interested in a chess match at a distance. He wants to lean on his man, dig at the body and make that seven inch difference in height feel like a burden.

However, Figueroa is not your typical stout featherweight. He throws punches in bunches and refuses to back down. This creates a rare paradox:

• The ball strategy: Turn it into a wrestling match. If he doesn’t lean, grab or dig in the ribs, he’s in trouble. He needs to get so close that Figueroa’s height becomes a burden.
• The Figueroa Factor: Usually the taller man wants space. However, Figueroa threw more than 1,000 punches in his last outing. He will not run; he will meet Ball in the middle. The question is whether he can keep up that pace against a man who fights with the strength of a landslide.

House ground pressure

This is Ball’s first time back in Liverpool since last summer. While the M&S Bank Arena will be a cauldron of support, that energy could be a trap. If Ball gets caught up in the crowd’s roar and tries to headhunt against a naturally bigger man, he may find the championship rounds much longer than expected.

Quick hits from the Undercard

• Bantamweight: Andrew Cain (117.8) and Alejandro Gonzalez (117.5) earned their points for their WBC eliminator. Cain tries to keep his momentum after stopping Charlie Edwards.
• Logistics: The action kicks off at Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena on Saturday. You can catch the card live on DAZN from 19:00 GMT / 14:00 ET.