Raymond Ford seeking world title in second division
Raymond Ford told Matchroom Boxing’s Flash Knockdown Podcast that he’s ready to take the first step on his path to becoming a two-weight World champion, as he moves up to 130lbs and faces Orlando Gonzalez for the WBA Continental Super-Featherweight title at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Saturday November 9, live worldwide on DAZN, leading the undercard in support of the World title doubleheader as Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis defends his IBF World Welterweight title against Karen Chukhadzhian and Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez defends his WBC and Ring Magazine World Super-Flyweight titles against Pedro Guevara.
Ford (15-1-1 8 KOs) won the WBA crown at Featherweight in March with a stunning 12th round KO win over Otabek Kholmotov in Verona, New York, pulling off one of the most dramatic victories of 2024 at the very last moment.
‘Savage’ quickly defended the crown against Nick Ball on the Matchroom vs. Queensberry 5 vs. 5 blockbuster in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in June, and was edged out in another thrilling contest by the Briton via split decision.
The 25 year old admitted on ‘Flash Knockdown’ that he held on at 126lbs to land the World title shot that he grasped in such spectacular fashion, despite his body telling him to move up in order, and he’s more than ready to take on the champions at Super-Featherweight and claim their belts.
“I don’t single out anybody or try to go for the easiest route,” said Ford. “I just want the champions to give me the opportunity to fight for a World title, and I want to test my skills amongst the best. I hear that Anthony Cacace is going to move up, so Sugar Nunez will get a World title shot – if he doesn’t have a dance partner, I’ll fill those shoes and get in there with him.
“It’s the same thing when I fought for my first World title, guys moving up and vacating belts, it’s history repeating itself. I like the challenge with the guys that people are scared of or turn into the boogeyman, the monster. I like that, so I can go and display my skills and she that they are just regular human beings.
“I’m fighting alongside great champions in Philadelphia in Boots and Bam, but I’m at the stage in my career where I want to be headlining my own shoes and doing my own thing. It’s cool to fight close to home, and eventually I want to do my own thing.
“I don’t look at the Ball fight like it was a setback, I think I gained a lot more than anything. The fans enjoyed the fight, happy with it and even though I didn’t get the decision it was a great night of boxing, thats what really matters, it’s about putting on a show for the fans. A lot of my fans think I won the fight, so I don’t feel bad about the fight in any way.
“I thought that I should have moved up before the Kholmotov fight, but I was so close to the World title, and I wanted to be a World champion. I stayed for the money and the opportunity to fight on the Saudi Arabia card, but truthfully, I should have moved up.”
Ford features in the latest episode of Matchroom Boxing’s Flash Knockdown Podcast, ahead of tomorrow’s epic Undisputed World Light-Heavyweight title clash Dmitry Bivol’s with Artur Beterbiev.