Otabek Kholmatov claims to be the very best fighter at 126 kilos.
That remark could also be a stretch, contemplating the expertise within the division, however Kholmatov believes nobody can match his expertise, skill-set, or energy.
Kholmatov will face Raymond Ford Saturday evening on the Turning Stone Resort and On line casino in Verona, New York. The 12-round bout will happen after the conflict between IBF featherweight titleholder Luis Lopez of Mexico and Japan’s Reiya Abe.
Each fights will stream dwell on ESPN+ (9 p.m. ET/ 6 p.m. PT).
At Friday’s weigh-in, Kholmatov weighed in at 125.8 kilos. Ford got here in at 125.9 kilos.
Kholmatov (12-0, 11 knockouts), who’s initially is from Sirdaryo, Uzbekistan and now resides in Hollywood, Florida, gained a WBA world title elimination bout on March 25, dropping Thomas Patrick Ward 3 times en path to a fifth-round knockout win. In his final bout on December 9, a stay-bust combat, Kholmatov stopped journeyman Balam Hernandez Acosta within the eighth spherical.
The combat between Kholmatov and Ford is a compelling conflict. Each are unbeaten and have regarded spectacular in latest fights.
Ford (14-0-1, 7 KOs), who resides in Camden, New Jersey, scored a powerful one-sided victory over former world titleholder Jessie Magdaleno and scored a knockout victory over once-beaten Sakaria Lukas. Regardless of being the slight underdog, Ford may nonetheless be a tough problem, however Kholmatov is assured Ford is in over his head.
“I’m extra motivated than ever, as that is my first world title combat,” Kholmatov advised The Ring Thursday by interpreter and co-promoter Svyatoslav ‘Stan’ Mangushev. “I consider that I’ll quickly combat for a unified and undisputed championship.
“Ford lacks energy and gained’t be capable to survive the later rounds. It will likely be a brutal knockout. I do know he’s very frightened of my expertise and energy.”
The 25-year-old has fought everywhere in the world, together with win over Hernandez, which came about on a card in rural Mexican state of Guanajuato. Kholmatov has additionally fought in Colombia and the Dominican Republic. The win over Ward came about in Newcastle, England.
Kholmatov’s accomplishments haven’t gone unnoticed as he not too long ago signed a co-promotional take care of High Rank, which is selling Saturday’s card.
Satirically, High Rank promotes among the prime featherweights in boxing, together with Lopez and Robeisy Ramirez, who not too long ago misplaced the WBO world title to Rafael Espinoza. Kholmatov is assured a win over Ford, together with being co-promoted by High Rank, will result in fights towards different prime featherweights within the division.
“High Rank is the No. 1 promotional firm on the planet,” mentioned Kholmatov, who’s now co-trained by brothers Joel and Antonio Diaz. “I’m very glad my promoter (Mangushev), with Undisputed Boxing Championship, and my supervisor Alex Vaysfeld, secured this co-promotional take care of High Rank.”
A press release win over Ford may put Kholmatov amongst the elite fighters at 126 kilos. Kholmatov is presently not rated by The Ring, however that may change.
Kholmatov remains to be vocal about not dealing with Leigh Wooden, who relinquished the WBA title in October. He hopes to face the very best within the division or the opposite world titleholders, however he believes they need to all be thought-about the underdogs, ought to a combat happen towards him.
“I’m able to combat any champion. However even they’re afraid to combat me. Wooden vacated his world title due to me.
“I’m the very best boxer within the division. My purpose is to unify and transfer up and develop into a champion in 4 weight division. You will notice very quickly that the entire world will know my identify.”
