Boxing: Nick Paul was knocked out by Brandon Figueroa to lose a world title fight in Liverpool

Figueroa, 29, lived up to his nickname ‘Heartbreaker’ on a sad and sad night for ‘Wrecking Ball’ and Liverpool fans.

The challenger was met with a chorus of jeers at his circuit walk, a 7,500-seat arena close to complete and unwavering partisanship. Figueroa blew kisses to his loved ones and stood quietly in his corner as the noise for the ball swelled.

The Kirkby-born fighter received a fitting reception in his hometown. From John Conteh to Natasha Jonas, Liverpool have never been shy about producing world champions, and Paul is the latest to continue that proud tradition.

The competition started at a frenetic pace. Ball threw 145 punches over the opening three rounds — including sharp uppercuts in the first and second rounds — with Figueroa throwing 204.

At just 5ft 2in, Paul conceded seven inches but rejected the idea that was a disadvantage, insisting he preferred to “punch” taller competitors.

With blood streaming from the champion’s nose and his mouth red, Figueroa kept up the pressure and emerged the fresher man at the halfway mark.

Ball responded with a strong flurry in the eighth. Figueroa flinched, smiled, and shot the body again. With some tight rounds, the fight looked well-placed and destined to make it to the scorecards.

“Championship rounds. This is your territory now,” Paul’s corner kick told him.

There was tension in the arena, but no one expected such a sudden end.

As the ball rushed down the ground after the initial left, it rose impressively on the count of nine. But Figueroa felt finished and unloaded – a left-right-left combination that completes the Texas car’s mission.