Raymond Ford Rejects “Dollar Store Shakur” Label Ahead Of O’Shaquie Foster Fight

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Ford, who is attempting to become a two-division champion, addressed recent comments from Foster’s side comparing him to a lesser version of Shakur Stevenson, one of Ford’s close friends and longtime training partners.

The former featherweight champion made it clear he does not agree with the comparison and suggested Foster still is not fully convinced about the matchup.

“That I’m a dollar store version of Shakur. I think that’s where he wrong at,” said Raymond Ford to the Mr. Versace podcast at Ring Magazine.

“I felt like he was hating on my moment. For real. For real. That’s why I really feel like he was just hating and he ain’t want me to. He probably ain’t really want to fight. I mean, I still don’t think he really want to fight me.”

The rivalry between Ford and Foster has intensified in recent months, partly because Stevenson became indirectly involved in the back-and-forth. Foster reportedly questioned why Stevenson was helping Ford prepare for the fight, although Ford says the tension between them started before the public exchanges.

Ford also expects a hostile crowd in Texas, but he believes the atmosphere will help elevate his performance rather than hurt him.

“I’m expecting to get the boos and all that walking into the arena. But that’s going to turn me into a different person on that night, and I can’t wait for it,” Ford said.

The 26-year-old challenger has already started looking toward the bigger opportunities that could follow a victory over Foster. One name already on his radar is Emanuel Navarrete, a fight Ford believes would become one of the biggest in the division.

“I think Navarrete, outside of this fight, that’s the biggest fight in the division,” Ford said.

A victory over Foster would give Ford another world title and potentially position him for a major fight at 130 pounds later this year.