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Raymond Ford
Raymond Ford
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Raymond Ford (born March 16, 1999) is an American professional boxer. He held the World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight title in 2024. As an amateur, he won the 2018 U.S. National Golden Gloves Championships.[1][2]

Key Information

Professional career

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Ford made his professional debut on March 15, 2019, scoring a four-round unanimous decision (UD) victory over Weusi Johnson at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[3] The fight was part of the undercard for Tevin Farmer's world title defense against Jono Carroll.[4] He had four more wins in 2019; a four-round points decision (PTS) over Aleksandrs Birkenbergs in May;[5] a first-round knockout (KO) over Isidro Figueroa in June;[6] and a four-round UD over Rafael Castillo in September.[7] Ford closed out 2019 with a first-round technical knockout of Francisco Muro on December 20, 2019.[8]

Ford began his 2020 campaign by facing Eric Manriquez on August 15, 2020. He won the fight by unanimous decision.[9] Ford next faced Rafael Reyes on November 7, 2020. He won the fight by a third-round technical knockout.[10] Ford fought Juan Antonio López on December 19, 2020, in his final fight of the year. He won the bout by a seventh-round knockout.[11]

Ford was booked to face the undefeated Aaron Perez on March 13, 2021, on the undercard of the Juan Francisco Estrada-Roman Gonzalez rematch.[12] The fight ended in a split draw. One judge scored the fight 77–75 for Ford, the second judge scored it 78–74 for Perez, while the last judge scored the bout as even 76–76 draw.[13] Ford was displeased with his performance, and asked for a rematch on his Instagram page, writing: "I definitely want a rematch to clean this up and show everyone I’m a better fighter than how I performed".[14]

Ford was scheduled to fight Reece Bellotti for the vacant WBA Continental featherweight title on August 14, 2021. The fight was Ford's first fight outside of the United States, as it took place at the Matchroom Headquarters in Brentwood, England.[15] He won the fight by a third-round technical knockout.[16] Ford made his first title defense against Felix Caraballo on November 27, 2021. He retained the title with an eight-round technical knockout of Caraballo.[17] Ford was scheduled to make his second title defense against the undefeated Edward Vazquez on February 5, 2022.[18] Ford won the fight by controversial split decision. Two of the judges scored the fight 98–92 and 97–93 in his favor, while the third judge scored the bout 96–94 for Vazquez.[19]

Ford was booked to make his first Continental Americas title defense in a regional title unification bout with the undefeated IBF North American featherweight titlist Richard Medina on June 25, 2022.[20] He won the fight by unanimous decision, with two scorecards of 100–90 and one scorecard of 99–91.[21] Ford made his second WBA Continental Americas featherweight title defense against Sakaria Lukas on November 12, 2022.[22] He won the fight by an eight-round knockout.[23]

Ford faced the former WBO junior featherweight champion Jessie Magdaleno on April 8, 2023.[24] He won the first twelve round bout of his career by unanimous decision, with two scorecards of 119–107 and one scorecard of 116–110.[25]

WBA featherweight champion

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Ford vs. Kholmatov

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Ford was scheduled to face Otabek Kholmatov for the vacant WBA featherweight title in Verona, New York.[26] He won the fight by TKO in the 12th round with only 7 seconds left in the round. Afterwards, it was revealed that during the fight Kholmatov had suffered an ACL tear.[27]

Ford vs. Ball

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Ford was scheduled to make the first defense of his WBA featherweight title against Nick Ball on June 1, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.[28] Ford lost the fight by split decision.[29][30]

Super Featherweight

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Ford vs. Gonzalez

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Making his super featherweight debut, Ford defeated Orlando Gonzalez by unanimous decision, scoring two knockdowns during the fight, at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA on November 9, 2024.[31][32][33]

Ford vs. Mattice

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Ford was scheduled to face Thomas Mattice for the WBA Continental North America super featherweight title at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey on April 12, 2025.[34] Ford won the fight by unanimous decision, with 3 scorecards of 100–90. [35]

Ford vs. Nova

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On 16 August 2025, Ford defeated Abraham Nova by unanimous decision in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on the undercard of the Moses Itauma vs Dillian Whyte fight.[36][37]

Professional boxing record

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20 fights 18 wins 1 loss
By knockout 8 0
By decision 10 1
Draws 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
20 Win 18–1–1 Abraham Nova UD 10 Aug 16, 2025 anb Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
19 Win 17–1–1 Thomas Mattice UD 10 Apr 12, 2025 Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Won WBA Continental North America super featherweight title
18 Win 16–1–1 Orlando González UD 10 Nov 9, 2024 Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
17 Loss 15–1–1 Nick Ball SD 12 Jun 1, 2024 Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Lost WBA featherweight title
16 Win 15–0–1 Otabek Kholmatov TKO 12 (12), 2:53 Mar 2, 2024 Turning Stone Resort Casino, Verona, New York, U.S. Won vacant WBA featherweight title
15 Win 14–0–1 Jessie Magdaleno UD 12 Apr 8, 2023 Boeing Center at Tech Port, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
14 Win 13–0–1 Sakaria Lukas KO 8 (10), 2:20 Nov 12, 2022 Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
13 Win 12–0–1 Richard Medina UD 10 Jun 25, 2022 Tech Port Arena, San Antonio, Texas, U.S. Won vacant IBF North American featherweight title
12 Win 11–0–1 Edward Vazquez SD 10 Feb 5, 2022 Footprint Center, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
11 Win 10–0–1 Felix Caraballo TKO 8 (10), 2:10 Nov 27, 2021 Hulu Theater, New York City, New York, U.S.
10 Win 9–0–1 Reece Bellotti TKO 3 (10) 0:39 Aug 14, 2021 Matchroom Headquarters, Brentwood, England
9 Draw 8–0–1 Aaron Perez SD 8 Mar 13, 2021 American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas, U.S.
8 Win 8–0 Juan Antonio López KO 7 (8), 1:29 Dec 19, 2020 Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
7 Win 7–0 Rafael Reyes TKO 3 (6), 1:26 Nov 7, 2020 Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood, Florida, U.S.
6 Win 6–0 Eric Manriquez UD 6 Aug 15, 2020 Downtown Streets, Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.
5 Win 5–0 Francisco Muro TKO 1 (6), 1:41 Dec 20, 2019 Talking Stick Resort Arena, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
4 Win 4–0 Rafael Castillo UD 4 Sep 13, 2019 Hulu Theater, New York City, New York, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 Isidro Figueroa KO 1 (4), 1:28 Jun 29, 2019 Dunkin' Donuts Center, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 Aleksandrs Berkensbergs PTS 4 May 10, 2019 Nottingham Arena, Nottingham, England
1 Win 1–0 Weusi Johnson UD 4 Mar 15, 2019 Liacouras Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.

See also

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Raymond Ford (born March 16, 1999) is an American professional boxer from , known for his and competing primarily in the division. As an amateur, he achieved prominence by winning the 2018 U.S. National Golden Gloves championship in the 123-pound category, marking a key milestone in his early career despite growing up in a challenging environment. Ford turned professional in March 2019, compiling an undefeated record of 14-0-1 with 7 knockouts before capturing the vacant () title on March 2, 2024, via a dramatic 12th-round technical knockout against Otabek Kholmatov at the in . In his first title defense on June 1, 2024, in , , Ford lost the belt by split decision to Nick Ball in a highly competitive bout that showcased his resilience but ended his reign after just three months. Following the defeat, Ford moved up to , debuting with a unanimous decision victory over Orlando Gonzalez on November 9, 2024, in to win the Continental title. He defended the belt with another unanimous decision over Thomas Mattice on April 12, 2025, in , before securing a unanimous decision win against on August 16, 2025, in . As of November 2025, Ford's professional record stands at 18 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw, with 8 knockouts, positioning him as a rising contender in the 130-pound division under the promotion of Matchroom Boxing. His career highlights include a blend of technical skill, power punching, and determination, earning him the nickname "Savage" for his aggressive yet calculated style in the ring.

Early years

Early life

Raymond Ford was born on March 16, 1999, in , USA. Growing up in Camden, a city notorious for its high crime rates and socioeconomic challenges, Ford navigated a difficult urban environment that shaped his early years. Camden has a storied boxing history, having produced world champions such as , known as the "Camden Buzzsaw," whose legacy as a relentless pressure fighter inspired local talents; Ford later paid tribute to Qawi following his death in July 2025. Ford's own early life was marked by turmoil, including multiple expulsions from school and a period in a juvenile detention center in stemming from street fights, experiences that highlighted the aggressive tendencies he would later redirect. These challenges led Ford to discover as an outlet for his energy, drawing him into the local scene amid Camden's tradition of the sport serving as an escape from hardship. Physically, Ford stands at 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) tall with a 69 in (175 cm) reach and fights in a . This foundation in Camden's gritty backdrop set the stage for his entry into structured .

Amateur career

Raymond Ford began his amateur boxing career around the age of 16 in , influenced by the city's gritty scene that provided an outlet amid challenging circumstances. Training at local gyms in Camden and later participating in regional programs, Ford honed his southpaw style under coaches who emphasized technical skill and resilience. His early bouts helped him build a strong foundation, competing primarily in the division (123 pounds). In 2017, at the National Championships held in , Utah, Ford earned a in the elite division after reaching , where he lost a close 3-2 decision to of . The following year, he again secured at the National Championships, also in , falling to in the 57kg () final on points. These performances showcased his competitive edge against top American amateurs, including future Olympians. Ford's amateur pinnacle came in 2018 when he captured the gold medal at the U.S. National Championships in the division (123 pounds) at Ralston Arena in Ralston, , defeating notable opponents en route to the title. At one point ranked second nationally at 125 pounds, his overall amateur record reflected consistent success in high-level tournaments. Following these achievements, Ford opted to turn professional in early 2019, forgoing the Olympic trials due to dissatisfaction with amateur boxing's evolving structure, and signed with promoter .

Professional career

Debut and early fights

Raymond Ford made his professional boxing debut on March 15, 2019, at the in , , where he defeated Weusi Johnson by over four rounds. The 19-year-old southpaw, who had recently signed with promoter Matchroom Boxing, showcased his technical skills and footwork in the win, marking the start of his pro career after a successful amateur run. Ford quickly built momentum with a series of victories in 2019, fighting on both sides of the Atlantic. He secured a points decision over Aleksandrs Birkenbergs in , , in May, followed by a first-round of Isidro in , in June. Later that year, he stopped Rafael Castillo in the second round at Madison Square Garden Theater in New York and Francisco Muro in the first round in , ending the year with a perfect 5-0 record, including three . In 2020, Ford continued his undefeated streak amid the challenges of the , winning decisions over Eric Manriquez, Rafael Reyes, and Juan Antonio Lopez in bouts scheduled over six to eight rounds across the . His early professional style emphasized sharp counterpunching and defensive movement as a southpaw, drawing from his amateur foundation while adapting to longer professional rounds under Matchroom's guidance. Ford's 2021 campaign included his first draw, a split draw against Aaron Perez over eight rounds in , , on March 13, 2021, bringing his record to 8-0-1. He rebounded strongly, capturing the vacant WBA Continental title with a third-round TKO over Reece Bellotti in Brentwood, , on August 14, 2021, and defended it with an eighth-round TKO win over Felix Caraballo on November 27, 2021, at Madison Square Garden Theater in New York, reaching 10-0-1 by year's end. Entering 2022, Ford defended his regional title with a split decision victory against Edward Vazquez on February 5, 2022, in Phoenix, Arizona, before securing a unanimous decision over Richard Medina on June 25, 2022, in San Antonio, Texas, and an eighth-round KO of Sakaria Lukas on November 12, 2022, in Cleveland, Ohio. These performances helped him compile a 13-0-1 record by the end of 2022, with seven knockouts, solidifying his reputation as a promising featherweight contender.

Rise to contention

In 2023, Raymond Ford solidified his status as a rising contender with a standout performance against former WBO champion . The fight took place on April 8, 2023, at the Boeing Center at Tech Port in , , as a 12-round WBA title eliminator—Ford's first bout scheduled for the full championship distance. Entering the matchup with an undefeated record of 13-0-1—highlighted by a draw against Aaron Perez in 2021—Ford, a natural southpaw, leveraged his stance to dictate the pace against the orthodox Magdaleno. He dropped his opponent in the fourth round with a sharp left hand and again in the eleventh with a combination, ultimately securing a victory by scores of 119-107 (twice) and 116-110. The win propelled Ford's professional record to 14-0-1 heading into , earning him widespread recognition as an elite undefeated prospect and boosting his rankings, including top position in the WBA division as the for the world title. His preparation for the extended rounds involved intensified conditioning to sustain output over longer durations, while his southpaw advantages in creating awkward angles proved decisive against conventional opponents.

WBA featherweight title

On March 2, 2024, Raymond Ford challenged Otabek Kholmatov for the vacant WBA featherweight world title at the in , a bout ordered by the WBA in late 2023 following Ford's undefeated streak and rising divisional rankings that year. The fight showcased Ford's effectively against the orthodox Kholmatov, with Ford landing precise jabs and hooks early while absorbing pressure from Kholmatov's powerful counters. As the rounds progressed, Ford targeted the body with right hooks to sap Kholmatov's mobility and output, setting the stage for a dramatic turnaround despite trailing on two of three judges' scorecards (106-103 and 105-104) entering the final round. In the 12th round, Ford unleashed a barrage of body shots and uppercuts, forcing Harvey Dock to halt the contest at 2:53, securing a technical knockout victory just seven seconds from the final bell and claiming his first world championship. Ford's title reign lasted approximately three months, during which he solidified his position as the WBA's top-ranked and engaged in promotional activities highlighting his achievement. The WBA promptly ordered him to prepare for a mandatory title defense as part of standard championship obligations, with negotiations advancing for a high-profile bout under the banner. The Kholmatov victory was later recognized as The Ring magazine's Fight of the Year for 2024, underscoring its intensity and Ford's resilience.

Title loss and weight class transition

On June 1, 2024, in , , Raymond Ford suffered his first professional defeat, losing the WBA title he had won just three months prior via a to undefeated British challenger Ball. The bout was a high-stakes defense marked by intense exchanges and competitive rounds, with judges scoring it 115-113 twice for Ball and 113-115 for Ford; the razor-close verdict drew widespread controversy, as several analysts and observers believed Ford had done enough to retain his championship. The loss updated Ford's professional record to 15-1-1 (8 KOs), prompting immediate reflection on the physical demands of competing at 126 pounds. Ford had long struggled with the featherweight limit, often losing only ounces rather than pounds during fight weeks and requiring multiple daily workouts to meet the weight, a process he described as exhausting and detrimental to his performance. Convinced by promoters to make one title defense despite his reservations, Ford ultimately vacated the division post-fight, opting to move up to the super featherweight class at 130 pounds to alleviate the toll of repeated draining cuts. During the ensuing off-season, Ford revamped his training approach to prioritize sustainable weight management, shifting away from the grueling dehydration tactics needed at toward a regimen that supports natural bulking and recovery at the higher limit. This transition, endorsed by his promoter , has allowed Ford to train with greater energy and focus, positioning him for a fresh start in where he anticipates improved output without the chronic fatigue from prior cuts.

Super featherweight bouts

Following his transition to the super featherweight division, Raymond Ford made a successful debut on November 9, 2024, defeating Orlando Gonzalez by over 10 rounds in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In the process, Ford captured the WBA Continental super featherweight title, improving his record to 16-1-1 with 8 knockouts. The victory showcased Ford's technical prowess and adaptability at the 130-pound limit, as he outboxed the durable Gonzalez with precise combinations and defensive footwork throughout the bout. Ford defended his WBA Continental North America title on April 12, 2025, against Thomas Mattice at in , securing another victory after 10 rounds. The judges scored the fight 100-90 across the board, highlighting Ford's dominant performance where he controlled the pace with jabs and body work while avoiding significant counters from the resilient Mattice. This win elevated Ford's record to 17-1-1 (8 KOs) and solidified his status as a contender in the division. On August 16, 2025, Ford faced in a 10-round non-title bout at ANB Arena in , , emerging with a win scored 96-94, 97-93, and 97-93. Ford's clever ring generalship and counterpunching frustrated Nova's aggressive advances, allowing him to maintain distance and land cleaner shots in a competitive encounter. The victory brought Ford's professional record to 18-1-1 (8 KOs) as of November 2025. In October 2025, Ford served as a partner for during preparations for Paul's upcoming fight, providing high-level technical work against a prominent opponent.

Career statistics

Professional record

Raymond Ford has a record of 18 wins (8 by stoppage), 1 loss, and 1 draw across 20 fights as of November 2025.
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRd.DateLocationNotes
1Win1–0Weusi JohnsonKO1/62019-03-15Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
2Win2–0Aleksandrs BirkenbergsUD6/62019-05-11Nottingham, England
3Win3–0Isidro FigueroaKO1/62019-06-15Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
4Win4–0Rafael CastilloKO1/62019-09-14New York, New York, U.S.
5Win5–0Francisco MuroKO1/62019-12-07Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
6Win6–0Eric ManriquezUD6/62020-08-01Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.
7Win7–0Rafael ReyesUD8/82020-11-07Hollywood, Florida, U.S.
8Win8–0Juan Antonio LopezUD8/82020-12-05San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
9Draw8–0–1Aaron PerezMD10/102021-03-13Dallas, Texas, U.S.
10Win9–0–1Reece BellottiUD10/102021-08-28Brentwood, England
11Win10–0–1Felix CaraballoUD10/102021-11-27New York, New York, U.S.
12Win11–0–1Edward VazquezTKO9/102022-02-05Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
13Win12–0–1Richard MedinaTKO6/102022-06-04San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
14Win13–0–1Sakaria LukasTKO8/102022-11-05Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
15Win14–0–1Jessie MagdalenoTKO11/122023-04-08San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
16Win15–0–1Otabek KholmatovTKO12/122024-03-02Verona, New York, U.S.Vacant WBA featherweight title
17Loss15–1–1Nick BallSD12/122024-06-01Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaLost WBA featherweight title
18Win16–1–1Orlando GonzalezUD12/122024-11-09Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.Won vacant WBA Continental North America super featherweight title
19Win17–1–1Thomas MatticeUD10/102025-04-12Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Retained WBA Continental North America super featherweight title
20Win18–1–1Abraham NovaUD10/102025-08-16Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Titles and accomplishments

Raymond Ford's professional boxing career is highlighted by his tenure as the () featherweight champion from March to June 2024, a title he captured via a dramatic twelfth-round technical knockout victory over Otabek Kholmatov on March 2, 2024, in . He defended the belt once before losing it by to Nick Ball on June 1, 2024, in , . In the super featherweight division, Ford holds the WBA Continental North America title, which he won by against Orlando Gonzalez on November 9, 2024, in , . He successfully retained the championship with another over Thomas Mattice on April 12, 2025, in , and continued to hold the title following a non-title victory over on August 16, 2025, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, maintaining his status as the regional titlist as of November 2025. Prior to his professional success, Ford earned notable amateur accolades, including a at the 2018 U.S. National Championships in the 123-pound division, representing . He also secured silver medals at the USA National Championships in both 2017 and 2018. Throughout his run, Ford achieved peak rankings as high as No. 1 contender in the WBA, No. 4 in the WBC, No. 5 in the IBF, and No. 7 in the WBO, positioning him among the division's elite before securing contention. Other key honors include an undefeated streak of 15-0-1 prior to his first professional loss and a knockout percentage of 44% across 18 victories.

References

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