Rested and rejuvenated, Nick Ball is ready to get back to work.

The no-nonsense WBA featherweight champion is a product of his environment and was built and hardened by Paul Stevenson and the team at Liverpool's Everton Red Triangle Gym.

These days, Ball spends much of his time in Dubai but The Ring's No. 3-ranked featherweight still returns to the streets and people that made him to prepare for his fights.

"You're coming back for a reason," Ball (23-0-1, 13 KOs) told The Ring.

"It's all business. It's go time, no messing around. There's no hanging out or chilling, it's full on. That’s what we've always been doing to get us to this position so we'll continue to do that.

"Everyone feels like they've got the best team in the game. That's right, they should feel that, but I feel like I have.

"The best team for me is who I've got around me now. The people who I started with and the people I'm going to finish with. I wouldn't be where I am today without them. I can honestly say that."

On February 7, Ball will defend his WBA featherweight title against America's two-weight world champion Brandon Figueroa (26-2-1, 19 KOs). It will be his first appearance since he outpointed Sam Goodman in Saudi Arabia on August 16.

Goodman boxed well and caused Ball problems with his movement and willingness to counterpunch but although Ball did more than enough to take the Australian's unbeaten record and return home with his title, he wasn't quite as explosive or as relentless as usual.

The win was his fifth world title fight within the space of 17 breakneck months which took him to the featherweight division's summit.

The break has given the all-action Ball the time to recharge his batteries but has also allowed him the time to take a breath, sit back and appreciate exactly what he has achieved.

"It's been good to have a little break but I like to stay active as well so I'm always training but it's good to have a break and realise how far you've come and take it all in for a minute and then go again," he said.

"When you're so focused on what's next, what's in front of you and your day-to-day thing, you don't have those moments. You don't give yourself those moments so it's good to reflect and see how far you've come."

Ball has reached the point where he can fill Liverpool's M&S Bank Arena. So far the 28-year-old has defended his title twice at the venue, stopping Ronny Rios and TJ Doheny.

The veterans were solid, world level operators giving Ball the chance to grow into his role as a world champion but Figueroa promises to provide a far more dangerous night's work.

Ball is returning to the sport reinvigorated and is looking forward to meeting the aggressive Texan head on.

"I can't wait. It's going to be a special night, this one. I've boxed here twice before as world champion and defended the belts twice. This is the third time," he said.

"This time feels different. My last fight was in Saudi and I wasn't too happy with my performance to be honest.

"To watch it back it was alright but I wasn't myself in there. But that is what it is, I still got the win. I feel like now, I'm coming back fresh in the new year with a point to prove."

Ball has underrated boxing ability but started off on the very bottom rung of boxing's ladder and forced himself to the top. He will need his every bit of his trademark aggression, fitness and desire to turn back The Ring's No. 7-ranked featherweight, Figueroa.

"I started with nothing," he remembered. "I started on a small show selling tickets to a fight. It's crazy, but that just shows you what hard work does and believing in yourself.

"You've always got to do that. If you always put the hard work in, the dedication, always believe in yourself there's no reason you can't get to the places I've got to."