Raymond Ford achieved a remarkable victory against Otabek Kholmatov Saturday night with a last-second TKO in the 12th round.
This intense bout took place at Turning Stone Casino in Verona, New York. They were fighting for the vacant WBA featherweight world title.
Kholmatov vs Ford Scorecard
Before the dramatic finish, scores were divided; two judges had Kholmatov ahead 106-103, and one had Ford slightly leading 105-104.
Ford's win improves his record to an unbeaten 15-0-1, with eight KOs. Meanwhile, Kholmatov faced his first professional defeat, making his record 12-1, with 11 KOs.
Kholmatov vs Ford Round by Round Results
The fight had several key moments:
In round 2, Kholmatov cornered Ford against the ropes after their legs got tangled.
Round 3 saw Kholmatov landing combination punches and stiffening Ford with a big left hand.
The subsequent round had Ford pushing back, exchanging blows to both body and head.
By round 5, despite landing harder blows, Ford was warned about letting rounds slip away.
Round 6 witnessed effective combinations from Ford that impressed all judges.
However, round 7 swung back in favor of Kholmatov by unanimous decision of the judges.
In rounds 8 and 10, despite taking a more aggressive approach and landing significant shots, the scales didn't clearly tip in anyone's favor till the decisive moment.
A cut suffered by Ford in round 11 didn't deter him; instead, it fueled a more aggressive approach from Kholmatov.
Ultimately, in round 12, Ford unleashed an onslaught that led to the referee stopping the fight with just seven seconds left.
In post-fight reactions, an overwhelmed Ford dropped to the canvas in jubilation. He acknowledged how a tough weight cut made it challenging and hinted at possibly moving up to junior lightweight for upcoming fights. Among potential opponents he mentioned Joe Cordina, O’Shaquie Foster, and Lamont Roach Jr.
Kholmatov's condition post-fight was serious enough to warrant hospitalization with a possible ACL tear. Despite this setback, there are strong suggestions Kholmatov should remain in title contention once he recovers.
This match wasn't simply about winning or losing but showcasing resilience and determination until the final bell— qualities both fighters exemplified throughout this epic showdown for the WBA featherweight world title.
