Ball dramatically stopped in 12th to lose world title

British featherweight champion Nick Ball suffered the first loss of his professional career and relinquished his WBA world title after being stopped by American challenger Stephen Fulton in the 12th round in Liverpool on Saturday night. The high-stakes homecoming bout at the M&S Bank Arena ended in dramatic fashion when the referee intervened to halt the contest with only seconds remaining on the clock. The defeat marks a significant turning point for the local favorite, who entered the ring seeking to defend his belt in front of a passionate partisan crowd but ultimately succumbed to Fulton's tactical precision and late-fight power. The fight began with Ball utilizing his signature aggressive style, attempting to close the distance and smother Fulton with high-volume punching. For much of the early and middle rounds, the contest remained a bruising and competitive affair, with Ball finding success on the inside while Fulton relied on his superior reach and counter-punching ability. However, as the championship rounds approached, the momentum shifted visibly. Fulton, a former unified super-bantamweight champion, demonstrated his elite pedigree by weathering the storm and gradually breaking down the champion’s defenses with sharp, heavy-handed combinations. In the final frame, with the result hanging in the balance on the judges' scorecards, Fulton landed a series of devastating blows that left Ball visibly staggered and unable to effectively defend himself. The referee’s decision to wave off the fight sparked a mixture of shock and silence throughout the Liverpool arena, as the local hero’s undefeated streak came to an abrupt end. For Stephen Fulton, the victory represents a triumphant return to form and a successful move up in weight, while Ball is now forced to recalibrate his career after losing his status as one of the world's premier 126-pound fighters.