THE RESULT: Raymond Ford secured a remarkable stoppage victory over Otabek Kholmatov with only seven seconds remaining in the final round to claim the WBA featherweight championship, as reflected on two scorecards.
KEY MOMENTS: Both fighters engaged in brutal body exchanges in a high-quality battle. Despite exceptional conditioning from both sides, Ford persevered until the end and capitalized on Khomatov’s vulnerable state in the 12th round, seizing the opportunity as the Uzbeki was visibly hurt and off balance.
RECORDS: Ford’s unbeaten streak extends to 15-0-1 (8) while Kholmatov’s perfect record comes to an end, now standing at 12-1 (11).
TALKING POINT: The transition from a highly competitive fight to a potential Fight of the Year contender in a matter of moments. Despite both fighters pushing each other to their limits, it was the electrifying finale of round 12 that elevated the bout to a whole new level.
QUOTABLE: Following the fight, an emotional Raymond Ford shared his thoughts on the stoppage win. “My coach urged me to unleash my inner dog. We had to dig deep. I kept believing I could stop him. I started slow due to a tough weight cut affecting my energy levels. This could potentially be my final fight at 126. Matchroom has Joe Cordina lined up, which I believe would be a great matchup where I can truly showcase my skills and compete against anyone.”
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? If Ford’s struggles with making weight persist, a move up to super-featherweight appears to be a prudent decision. Kholmatov, on the other hand, will need to work on refining certain aspects of his game before his next outing.