WBA Strips Brandon Figueroa of Featherweight Title

Brandon Figueroa lost his championship status after missing the weight limit before his scheduled bout.

Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Boxing

Expressive editorial sports illustration of a boxer in a defensive stance, capturing the intensity and motion of combat sports. — The WBA stripped Brandon Figueroa of his featherweight title on Tuesday after the boxer exceeded the weight limit before his scheduled bout. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The WBA officially stripped Brandon Figueroa of the featherweight title after he weighed in at 127.4 pounds, exceeding the 126-pound limit. As a result, only his opponent, Tomoki Kameda, remains eligible to claim the belt in their upcoming fight.

Why it matters

Title eligibility hinges on meeting strict weight requirements, and exceeding the limit forced the WBA to vacate Figueroa's championship status immediately. The move ensures the integrity of the division's rules while narrowing the stakes for the upcoming match.

Brandon Figueroa weighed 127.4 pounds, putting him 1.4 pounds over the 126-pound featherweight limit. His opponent, Tomoki Kameda, weighed in successfully at 125.8 pounds.

The players

Brandon Figueroa

He is a 29-year-old professional boxer who previously competed at 122 pounds before moving up to the featherweight division.

Tomoki Kameda

He is a 35-year-old veteran boxer with a career spanning 47 fights who remains eligible for the title.

The details

Brandon Figueroa failed to make weight on his first attempt and declined a second weigh-in, leading the sanctioning body to remove the title. With the belt now vacated, the scheduled contest between the 29-year-old Figueroa and the 35-year-old Kameda proceeds, though only Kameda can secure the championship victory.

February 2026: Brandon Figueroa initially won the WBA featherweight title.
October 16, 2026: The official weigh-in took place where Figueroa failed to make weight.

Season Trajectory

This development marks a significant shift in the featherweight division's hierarchy as the title becomes vacant. The outcome alters the immediate competitive landscape for the WBA, potentially forcing a new matchup to determine a future champion.

Only Tomoki Kameda can win the title during the scheduled bout, meaning the championship belt will remain vacant if he does not win. Bettors and fans should note that the stakes of the fight have shifted exclusively toward Kameda's potential to claim the crown.

The takeaway

Failing to meet contractually required weight limits results in immediate administrative penalties for titleholders. Fighters often face difficult transitions when moving up in weight classes, as evidenced by Figueroa's move from the 122-pound division.