THE RESULT: Down on two scorecards Raymond Ford produces a shocking stoppage win over Otabek Kholmatov with seven seconds left within the last spherical to take house the WBA featherweight belt.
KEY MOMENTS: In a high-quality bout there have been brutal physique exchanges all through. The conditioning of each males was excellent, however Ford stored going proper until the very finish and had Khomatov on rubbery legs within the twelfth and pounced with the Uzbeki harm, off stability and far and wide.
RECORDS: Ford extends his unbeaten run to 15-0-1 (8) however Kholmatov loses his personal zero and drops to 12-1 (11).
TALKING POINT: How a extremely aggressive combat can then be remodeled right into a Combat of the 12 months contender inside seconds. Each males took one of the best from one another however there have been no memorable dramatic moments however these final moments of spherical 12 elevated the combat to a different degree.
QUOTABLE: Within the post-fight interview and emotional Raymond Ford defined how he pulled out the stoppage win. “My coach informed me carry that canine out. We needed to dig deep. I stored telling myself I’m gonna cease him. I began off a little bit gradual. I felt like I didn’t have the vitality within the legs attributable to a tricky weight reduce. This is likely to be my final combat at 126. We (Matchroom) received Joe Cordina. I really feel like that’s a very good combat we will make. I can go up there and compete with anyone.”
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? If it was powerful to make the load as Ford advised then transferring as much as super-featherweight feels like a wise determination. Kholmatov will come once more however there are some tough edges to be smoothed out.
