Nick Ball will return from a well earned six month break to make the fourth defence of his WBA 126 pound title. Ball (23-0-1, 13 KO’s) will box two-weight world champion, Brandon Figueroa (26-2-1, 19 KO’s), in front of a passionate home crowd at Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena, live on DAZN.

“There’s no place like home,” The Ring’s No. 3-ranked featherweight said at Thursday’s final press conference.

“Here we are. I’ve been all around the world fighting on big shows and big events but you realise that back home, it’s something else. It makes you appreciate it and this is what it’s all about.”

Figueroa’s six-inch height advantage has led to the promotion being billed as “A Tall Order” but the stocky 5-foot-3 Ball has always had plenty of success when fighting men who tower over him.

In his first early career test, Ball blew through the much taller Brian Phillips in their cross city derby. He then stopped the 5-foot-9 Ludomu Lamati in the final round of their WBC eliminator.

In March of 2024, The Liverpudlian gave up seven inches in height to Mexican veteran, Rey Vargas, but quickly turned their WBC title clash into a rough and tumble inside fight. After taking a couple of rounds to impose himself, Ball appeared unfortunate to have to settle for a draw.

“That's where I'm most comfortable," Ball said about the size difference. “I've been doing this my whole life. It's what I'm used to doing.

“The taller they are, the harder they fall and it’s a bigger target and a bigger body. All bigger things to hit.”

Ball usually has to force his opponents to stay inside with them but he won’t need to spend too much time or energy slowing Figueroa down. The 29-year-old Texan is usually the aggressor in his fights and is planning on meeting the all-action Ball head on.

“I always do it,” Figueroa said. “I always bring the fight. I’m always very prepared, very conditioned and me and my team have worked really, really hard in camp.

“I'm just very confident. I know what I bring and know my abilities. On Saturday night, the Liverpool fans are going to see my style of fighting and you guys are going to love it.”

Figueroa threw over 1,000 punches in his July win over Joet Gonzalez but his promise to bring the same level of activity and aggression made no impact on Ball.

“He’s gonna try, isn’t he?” he said. “He’s gonna try and do what he wants. Whether I’m gonna let him is a different story. He threw over a thousand punches in his last fight against somebody who’s not me so I don’t really take too much from it. It’s what’s coming back at you that you’ve got to worry about.”

Ranked No. 7 by The Ring, Figueroa has never boxed outside of the USA. Rather than treating the fight as a smash and grab affair and jetting in from his Californian training base at the last minute, he has spent over a week acclimatising to the eight-hour time difference and the cold, damp Liverpool weather. A sizeable contingent of friends and family have traveled to see him attempt to win a third world title.

“Me and my coaches, they’ve known how bad I want it in camp,” he said.

“The hours I put in the gym, the early mornings, the monster runs. Everything I put in. I just can't wait for everyone to see and for me to showcase my craft and my skills. My family is here as well. I couldn't be any more happy.

“I'm just very excited. I love this sport so much. I'm passionate about this sport and I just can't wait to be world champion again.”