Ford challenges O’Shaquie for the WBC super featherweight title in Houston, Texas, looking to become a two-division world champion. The buildup has grown increasingly heated, with Ford and Foster exchanging words throughout fight week and Ford appearing more animated than usual during their latest press conference.
Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn said afterward that Ford must avoid letting those emotions carry into the ring.
“Ray’s got to be Ray,” Hearn said during the DAZN broadcast. “Don’t start switching it up trying to fight off emotion, trying to knock the guy out in the early rounds.”
The remarks were unusual because Ford has typically been one of the calmer fighters in the sport. Even in difficult fights against Otabek Kholmatov and Nick Ball, he generally remained composed under pressure. This week has looked different.
Ford shoved O’Shaquie during one face-off and repeatedly exchanged words with the champion’s team during Thursday’s press conference. Foster has seized on that change in behavior, repeatedly describing Ford as emotional and suggesting he is allowing the occasion to affect him.
Hearn acknowledged that this is a different side of Ford than fans are accustomed to seeing.
“Ray’s never been in a fight like this before,” Hearn said.
The promoter stressed that Ford’s success will depend on sticking to the style that helped him become a world champion at featherweight rather than chasing an early knockout.
Ford enters the fight 3-0 since moving to 130 pounds. O’Shaquie, meanwhile, is regarded as one of the division’s most skilled champions and has built his reputation on discipline, defense and ring IQ.
The winner could move into position for some of the biggest fights available in the super featherweight division. Ford-Foster fight tonight on DAZN.
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