By Nigel Collins
Is there anything more dramatic in boxing than a fighter who is significantly trailing on the scorecards managing to defeat their opponent in the final moments of the fight? It completely changes the perception of the situation. Predictions are overturned and unless you have placed a small bet on the losing fighter, it becomes an incredibly thrilling experience, filled with the joy of the unforeseen.
Middleweight champion Jake LaMotta held the gold standard for incredible victories since September 13, 1950. During the final round, he knocked out French challenger Laurent Dauthuillle with a mere 13 seconds left. Although rare, there have been other remarkable last-minute triumphs, like Mike Weaver’s knockout of John Tate in the 15th round to secure the WBA heavyweight title.
Raymond Ford found himself on the brink of defeat, even closer than Dauthuillle and Tate. With only seven ticks remaining on the timekeeper’s watch, Ford managed to stop Otabek Kholmatov and secure victory for the vacant WBA featherweight title. The intense back-and-forth bout captivated the crowd at the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York, who relentlessly cheered and supported the fighters throughout the entire fight.
During the second round, Kholmatov, 25, successfully connected a series of left punches to the side of Ford’s head. Despite this, the determined American retaliated with two swift right punches. Unexpectedly, Ford lost his balance and stumbled backward, eventually colliding with the ropes. Initially, when questioned about the incident, Ford claimed that he had merely tripped. However, upon further analysis of a video recording, it became evident that Ford’s right foot had become entangled with Kholmatov’s left foot, causing him to stumble.
The turning point occurred when Ford delivered a powerful right uppercut to Kholmatov in the last round, draining the Uzbek of his fighting spirit. Taking advantage of this weakened state, Ford pursued him relentlessly, striking him with a left hook and a straight right that propelled his opponent into the ropes. Kholmatov rebounded off the boundaries like a pinball, desperately trying to grab hold of Ford. In a swift move, Ford used his hip to flip Kholmatov onto the canvas. Referee Charlie Fitch correctly determined it was not a knockdown, and wasted no time in wiping off Kholmatov’s gloves before Ford resumed his attack.
After stumbling back, Kholmatov retreated with unsteady steps. Ford swiftly delivered two punches to his opponent’s head, causing him to turn his back and stumble towards the ropes, leaning his face over the top rope. Before the referee intervened to halt the fight, Ford managed to land a left hook by reaching around. Concerned for Kholmatov’s well-being, he was immediately taken to the hospital for further evaluation.
As we sat in the back of the TKO Fitness Gym in Cherry Hill, a township next to Camden, the 25-year-old Ford expressed his admiration for Kholmatov, saying, “I have to give credit to Kholmatov. He’s a skilled fighter and executed many impressive moves in the ring. To be honest, I wasn’t aware that I was trailing on two scorecards. I simply focused on winning the final round and proving that I could triumph easily in unfamiliar territory. After all, I was up against a Top Rank fighter on a Top Rank card.”
Ford celebrates (Ed Mulholland/Matchroom)
Ford has no intention of having a rematch or bringing together the featherweight title. Despite many people urging me to do so, I have to prioritize my well-being and listen to my body. I have been competing at this weight since my amateur days, but I can’t continue fighting at this weight for much longer. Unfortunately, I wasn’t at my peak performance during the fight against Kholmatov due to the weight cut taking a toll on me.
It has been confirmed that there will be an additional defense of his title, as he has recently agreed to defend it against Nick Ball in Saudi Arabia on June 1st.
After winning the title, Ford’s mother, Pamela, embraced her son in the dressing room, overwhelmed with emotion as tears streamed down her face. “I am incredibly proud of you,” she whispered. Without her presence, his life would have undoubtedly taken a drastically different path.
Ford, who has three sisters and two brothers, admitted, “In the past, I used to engage in street and school fights, which frequently led me into trouble. Despite my mother’s initial reluctance, she eventually enrolled me in boxing when I turned ten years old.”
Following his triumph in the 2018 U.S. National Golden Gloves Championship, Ford contemplated participating in the Olympic Trials. However, he found himself discontented with the political nature of the amateur aspect of the sport. Moreover, he had an alluring alternative in mind.
Ford stated, “Following my victory in the Golden Gloves, Eddie Hearn reached out to me. He informed me that he had been observing my performance and had received positive feedback, therefore expressing his interest in signing me. I have been with Eddie since the start, and being true to myself, I aspire to compete against the top contenders. I accepted all the opportunities presented to me, prioritizing financial gains. I firmly believe that at my peak, I have the capability to defeat any opponent.”
“Your life is about to be transformed,” exclaimed Hearn with excitement. “I had complete faith in your victory. I wouldn’t have traveled this far if I didn’t.”
Ford responded, “Were you able to witness my approach? You were aware of my determination and resilience. The result of all my diligent efforts was truly gratifying. It felt surreal, like a long-awaited wish finally fulfilled. I was genuinely in disbelief.”
Hearn suggested, “Why don’t we arrange a homecoming event in Camden, with a fight?”
If Ford manages to defeat Ball, it is unlikely that a homecoming would be financially viable for him at this point in his career. The city of Camden hasn’t seen much boxing popularity since the time of World War II, specifically on August 28, 1946, when Joey Maxim surprised Jersey Joe Walcott in a 10-round match at the Public City Ballpark. This event attracted a record-breaking crowd of 7,709 fans, the largest ever for an outdoor fight in the city. Since then, no other boxing event has even come close to reaching such numbers.
Camden’s reputation is worth mentioning. Journalist Chris Hedges described Camden as “the physical refuse of post-industrial America,” and there is certainly some truth to that characterization. Situated across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, Camden has previously ranked among the top 10 most dangerous cities in the United States. Nevertheless, there has been a noticeable decrease in crime since the local police department was dissolved and replaced by a county police department. Despite these improvements, Camden is not exactly a popular tourist destination.
Since Dwight Muhammad Qawi’s dominance in the 1980s, Camden has been devoid of champions, excluding Jason Sosa’s brief stint as the WBA super-featherweight titleholder. However, this changed when Ford, a left-handed fighter hailing from Camden, put an end to Kholmatov’s reign. The fight itself was exceptional, but it was the remarkable conclusion that truly made it memorable, positioning it as a potential contender for the fight of the year.
Ford expressed, “After the fight, I felt both physically drained and relieved. It had been a challenging period of being separated from my beloved three-year-old daughter, Malani, for a month and a half. She means the world to me now. I vividly remember the day she was born, tears streaming down my face uncontrollably. It was overwhelming to have someone who admires and looks up to me like that. Every time she sees me on the television, she points and joyfully exclaims ‘da-da.’ As she grows older, she will truly comprehend the significance. During my most recent fight, she showed even more interest and enthusiasm. I honestly cannot fathom my life without her. I cherish her immensely.”
Ray was asked if he would permit his daughter to engage in boxing. He responded by stating, “I would impart some knowledge to her, but I would not want her to participate in any competitions. Boxing is a perilous sport.”
Ford entered the fight with only seven wins by knockout in his professional career of 15 fights. However, his punches seemed to possess more power compared to Kholmatov’s, especially when he targeted the body, resulting in a resounding thud upon impact. Ball should pay attention to this.
Ford expressed, “I can definitely sense my strength increasing. Even during sparring sessions, I’m causing pain to my opponents. My physical power is developing, but that’s not what I prioritize. I rely on my boxing intelligence, speed, and abilities. I don’t want to become one of those fighters who becomes obsessed with their power. It detracts from my strategic thinking, and I’ll end up getting hit with unnecessary punches. I prefer not to label myself as a power puncher.”
Shakur Stevenson, one of the most exceptional talents in the game today, exclaimed, “He is an extraordinary fighter, a true force to be reckoned with. I have had the privilege of training alongside him.”
There are three trainers at Ford: Reginald Lloyd, Anthony Rodriquez, and Tarao Stevenson. Floyd explained that each of them has distinct roles in various positions. The manager overseeing them is Brian Peters, an Irishman who also manages Katie Taylor and other esteemed boxers.
Ford has accepted the undeniable truth that he will eventually ascend to the super-featherweight division. And when that time comes, he has already made up his mind about the ideal opponent he wishes to face: O’Shaquie Foster, the current holder of the WBC super-featherweight title.
In October 2023, a statue honoring Walcott was put up at Wiggins Waterfront Park, accompanied by a grand unveiling celebration that involved a parade. Ford expressed his regret, stating, “I was meant to participate in that parade, but unfortunately, I overslept.”
There has been discussion about organizing a parade to honor Ford. If the parade takes place, it would be wise for him to ensure his alarm clock is set.
