THE RESULT: Down on two scorecards Raymond Ford produces a shocking stoppage win over Otabek Kholmatov with seven seconds left within the ultimate spherical to take dwelling 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 twelfth and pounced with the Uzbeki damage, off steadiness and in every single place.
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 battle can then be reworked right into a Combat of the Yr contender inside seconds. Each males took the most effective from one another however there have been no memorable dramatic moments however these final moments of spherical 12 elevated the battle to a different degree.
QUOTABLE: Within the post-fight interview and emotional Raymond Ford defined how he pulled out the stoppage win. “My coach instructed me carry that canine out. We needed to dig deep. I saved telling myself I’m gonna cease him. I began off a bit of sluggish. I felt like I didn’t have the power within the legs attributable to a tricky weight reduce. This is likely to be my final battle at 126. We (Matchroom) obtained Joe Cordina. I really feel like that’s a superb battle we will make. I can go up there and compete with anyone.”
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? If it was robust to make the load as Ford prompt then transferring as much as super-featherweight feels like a smart determination. Kholmatov will come once more however there are some tough edges to be smoothed out.
