THE RESULT: Down on two scorecards Raymond Ford produces a shocking stoppage win over Otabek Kholmatov with seven seconds left within the closing spherical to take residence 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 saved going proper until the very finish and had Khomatov on rubbery legs within the 12th and pounced with the Uzbeki harm, off steadiness and everywhere.
RECORDS:Â Ford extends his unbeaten run to 15-0-1 (8) however Kholmatov loses his personal zero and drops to 12-1 (11).
TALKING POINT:Â How a extremely aggressive struggle can then be reworked right into a Fight of the Year contender inside seconds. Both males took the perfect from one another however there have been no memorable dramatic moments however these final moments of spherical 12 elevated the struggle to one other stage.
QUOTABLE: In the post-fight interview and emotional Raymond Ford defined how he pulled out the stoppage win. “My coach told me bring that dog out. We had to dig deep. I kept telling myself I’m gonna stop him. I started off a little slow. I felt like I didn’t have the energy in the legs due to a tough weight cut. This might be my last fight at 126. We (Matchroom) got Joe Cordina. I feel like that’s a good fight we can make. I can go up there and compete with anybody.”
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? If it was powerful to make the burden as Ford recommended then shifting up to super-featherweight appears like a wise determination. Kholmatov will come once more however there are some tough edges to be smoothed out.
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