Ball Dramatically Stopped In 12th To Lose World Title

Figueroa, 29, lived up to his moniker, 'Heartbreaker', connected a deflating and sorrowful nighttime for 'Wrecking' Ball and nan Liverpool crowd.

The challenger was met by a chorus of jeers connected his ringing walk, nan 7,500-capacity arena adjacent to afloat and firmly partisan. Figueroa blew kisses to his loved ones and stood calmly successful his area arsenic nan sound swelled for Ball.

The Kirkby-born combatant was fixed a due hometown reception. From John Conteh to Natasha Jonas, Liverpool has ne'er been awkward of producing world champions, and Ball is nan latest to person carried connected that proud tradition.

The title began astatine a frantic pace. Ball threw 145 punches crossed nan opening 3 rounds - including crisp uppercuts successful nan first and 2nd – pinch Figueroa throwing 204 times.

At conscionable 5ft 2in, Ball conceded 7 inches successful tallness but dismissed nan thought that was a disadvantage beforehand, insisting he preferred "punching up" astatine taller opponents.

As humor trickled from nan champion's chemoreceptor and reddened his mouth, Figueroa continued to property and appeared nan fresher man astatine nan halfway mark.

Ball responded pinch a blistering flurry successful nan eighth. Figueroa winced, smiled and fired backmost to nan body. With immoderate tight rounds, nan conflict felt finely poised and destined to spell to nan scorecards.

"Championship rounds. This is your territory now," Ball's area told him.

There was nervousness successful nan arena, but cipher predicted specified an abrupt ending.

With Ball scrambling connected nan level aft nan first left, he admirably roseate connected nan count of nine. But Figueroa sensed nan decorativeness and unloaded - a left-right-left operation completing nan occupation for nan Texan.