Boxing Update- Raymond Ford vs Otabek Kholmatov Made Official for ‘Vacant’ WBA Featherweight Title, Date and Venue Released

Come weekend, and the one following, the featherweight division will be going through a series of deciders. Ray Vargas will defend his WBA belt from the Liverpudlian Nick Ball on the Anthony Joshua–Francis Ngannou undercard in Saudi Arabia. But much closer, while fellow Mexican Luis Lopez will defend his title from Reiya Abe, an exciting thriller will be played out between Raymond Ford and Otabek Kholmatov for the vacant WBA title.

Both Ford and Kholmatov will headline the event, streamed live by ESPN+, particularly for viewers in the United States. Alongside the Lopez-Abe bout as the co-feature, the fights will take place at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, New York, on Saturday, March 2.

A New King for the Empty Throne

The WBA featherweight title fell vacant after incumbent Leigh Wood decided to relinquish it on October 17 last year. In a terrific display of skills, the Nottinghamshire-born boxer defeated Mauricio Lara during a rematch on May 27 to win the vacant title. Later on October 7, he defeated Josh Warrington during the first title defense. Both Raymond Ford and Otabek Kholmatov ride on the back of spotless records in their relatively young careers.

24-year-old Camden, New Jersey-born Raymond Ford commenced his pro-boxing career in May 2019. An outstanding amateur career saw him win the 2018 Golden Gloves besides the consecutive silver medals (2017, 2018) at the National Championships. He trounced Reece Bellotti on August 14, 2021, to become the WBA continental Americas featherweight champion. On June 25, 2022, besides retaining the WBA continental belt, he added the IBF North American title to his kitty.

Later in November, Ford defended his WBA championship for the fourth time. Last year, he defeated former world champion Jessie Magdaleno in the first 12-round bout of his career. On Saturday, he will enter the ring with a record of 14 wins against zero losses and one draw. His knockout-to-win rate stands at 50%.

Raymond Ford’s opponent, 25-year-old Otabek Kholmatov, also boasts an unbeaten record. The Sirdaryo, Uzbekistan-born boxer, like ‘Savage’, boasts a weighty amateur record that includes a bronze at the 2016 Youth World Championship. Now Florida-based, Kholmatov began his professional boxing career on August 13, 2021. So far, he has participated in 12 fights, winning all of them. Eleven of his triumphs came via knockouts, giving him a knockout-to-win rate of 92%.

For fans of the 126-pound weight division, exciting things lie ahead. They are eagerly anticipating whether Mexicans Ray Vargas and Luis Lopez will successfully defend their titles or if a new WBA champion will be crowned.

Read More: Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou Livestream: When and Where to Watch in USA and UK?

What are your predictions for the featherweight lineups coming up? Please share your views with us in the comments below.

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