Let's say the rematch happens in the US. Who wins? It looked like people had it split going into the 12th; I had Figueroa up by 1 round. Ball knows it would be make-or-break, and instead of talking about fighting Inoue, as he did for half of this buildup, he knows it's do-or-die. If he was laser focussed at redeeming this L, could he do it across the pond? I think Fig would win again, but it would go the 12 this time.
I think Balls chin is cracked. Ball should take some time off after that brutal loss and come back with a touch up.
I had Ball winning going into the last round, 7 rounds to 4, but clearly a lot of people disagreed on the scoring it was one of those fights, what do you prefer the cleaner, harder, more effective punches, or the sheer volume. But the official scorecards had Figueroa ahead and it's likely a rematch in the US would see Figueroa win again, probably on points. Ball caught Figueroa cleanly a number of times but never hurt him and against Figueroa's volume he's going to struggle to win a decision unless he has judges who prefer cleaner, harder punching over volume.
I think it would be easier for Fig in the return, he was always gonna be a bad style match up for Ball, and it remains to be seen how Ball's punch resistance is going to be affected - mentally and physically - from such a devastating KO
Fig wins again. He looked to be turning the fight towards the end anyway, and was up on 2 of the 3 cards, in an arena with a rowdy Scouse crowd. He could do that again and more in a rematch. Nick Ball was never able to separate himself at featherweight. He had a close fight against Vargas (and was maybe unlucky to not get the nod, granted), then edged past Ford (in a fight I thought Ford nicked) for the title, then he fought 3 super bantamweights as defended. Sam Goodman who was moving up more than held his own in there, and Doheny who was coming off a bad loss to Inoue still made it tricky enough for Nick to make him lose his temper and kick him, which he should’ve been disqualified for, but that’s by the by. Nick had a fortunate run of a few opponents and some favourable officiating, and kept the wins up, but again, no separation from the pack. If he fights world level featherweights, he’s always going to be in the mix and show a good account of himself, but he doesn’t have the style or dimensions to be elite and never will be.
Agree and Ball was blowing out his arse by 3rd round so I think the activity has got to him as hes been on an absolute tear of tough fights since his draw against Vargas
I think if Ball wants a chance to win the rematch he has to really hurt Fig in the first 6 and invest in the body. The insane pace of Fig just totally drowned Ball and I was actually impressed he managed to take some of the later rounds with how gassed he was. But the stoppage in the 12th was almost entirely due to Fig exhausting Nick; he was so gassed he left himself exposed and had no energy to recover when getting back up. I say Figueroa wins again within the distance. Ball's corner might even retire him if he starts drowning from the pace again. It's interesting because Ball was clearly landing the better quality shots and countering effectively but Fig is built of steel and is just relentless.
I think rematch will still be a close fight as the first fight was. However, if its held on US soil, Figs should get the decision. And probably deservedly so as he will be full of confidence and momentum.
Hope Ball gets back in there, I quite enjoy seeing him bring the heat and he doesn't appear to be afraid of anything
Won't go any better for ball. Style Mismatch. Now feed ball to shu shu and let ball get a good retirement check.
I think Ball and Carrington is a 50/50, I'm not fully sold on him just yet. I think he was very lucky to get a decision against Segawa. While I do like his classy combination punching and the way he fights in certain bursts, he is there to be hit, quite limited defensively, and doesn't have particularly standout power. He really doesn't like fighting at someone else's pace. I think Fig beats him, and I think Ball could drag him into deep water. I feel like Ball was overrated going into the Fig fight, and now people are writing him off after a 12th-round TKO loss in a fight where he was probably losing by 1 round. Either way, there's some great fights to be made at featherweight.
