While Jaron Ennis and Eimantas Stanionis will compete in the main event at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, the undercard of the April 12 Matchroom event will feature another blockbuster clash to determine the future of the super featherweight division. Raymond Ford, who lost his WBA super featherweight title in his first-ever defense against Nick Ball, is looking to get back into the title picture again. However, the 34-year-old veteran, Thomas Mattice, is standing in between ready to spoil Savage’s plan.

For Ford, the stakes become even higher given Mattice’s WBA Continental North America Super-Featherweight title will be on the line. Securing this bout was not easy for the 26-year-old. In his own words, several fighters had rejected him before Mattice stepped up to the plate. Now, with the stage set, Ford is determined to seize this chance and make a statement.

Predicting Raymond Ford vs. Thomas Mattice: Who has better stats and record?

This one is pretty hard to call. While Mattice is far more experienced, Ford boasts a better record with just one setback in between. Gunna Man, with a 22-4-1 record across 27 bouts, has been in stellar form in recent times, losing only one of his last six fights. That loss against Eduardo Hernandez also came due to an accidental head clash which left Hernandez unable to fight, granting him a technical victory. Hardly a fair reflection of Mattice’s skill.

On the other hand, the Camden native has faced only one loss in his 18-fight career and stands at a record of 16-1-1. He bounced back tremendously after dropping his WBA super featherweight title against Ball with a unanimous victory over Orlando Gonzalez. However, his inability to finish fights paints a worrying picture.

Thomas Mattice has won 17 of his 22 victories via knockout, painting an impressive 78% knockout figure. Ford, by contrast, has secured only 8 stoppages, yielding a 50% KO rate, which is decent at 126 pounds but pales next to Mattice’s numbers. He will need to stay sharp to counter Mattice’s finishing threat.

Ford vs. Mattice height, weight, reach comparison, and more

The Ford-Mattice bout grows tougher to call when you factor in their physical profiles, which are strikingly close. ‘Savage’ stands at 5 feet 7 inches with a reach of 69 inches or 175 cm. On the other hand, Mattice is 2 inches taller and possesses a 73-inch or 185-cm reach, giving him a slight advantage when it comes to counters and keeping distance.

For Ford, who relies on his dimensions and reach to dictate the pace of the fight, this could pose a challenge. Moving up to super featherweight means he’s no longer the biggest in the ring, a shift that tests his adaptability. Still, he seems comfortable at his new weight, clocking in at 130 lbs in his first bout at the super featherweight division. Meanwhile, Mattice recorded a weight of 129 lbs in his clash against Eduardo Hernandez.

With the duo comfortable in the super featherweight division, this can become a tactical battle. Hinging on who better exploits those subtle differences in the crucial stages of the match.

Prediction: Who wins it?

Predicting this bout can be tricky, as it’s poised to be a close affair. According to BetOnline.ag, Raymond Ford holds the edge and is a clear favorite with -1250 odds favoring him. On the other hand, Thomas Mattice trails behind as the +700 underdog.

Thomas Mattice, at 34, is the older of the two fighters and is far more experienced in this division. He has been in red-hot form recently and would heavily depend on his counters to tackle Ford’s rally of punches. His power, especially that devastating right hand will be his trump card, as a clean connection could floor anyone. He would hope to catch the Camden native with his right for a decisive victory.

However, Raymond Ford is a master technician in the ring, and catching him won’t be easy. He will try to control the fight’s pace from the start and will rely on his jab while laying back on his back foot. Furthermore, fresh off a high-profile win on the Ennis-Chukhadzhian undercard, he’s no stranger to big stages. Hungry to reclaim a title shot, Ford told Ring Magazine, “I‘m coming for all the champions, and they can’t keep running forever.”

This fight can become a stalemate as both fighters can emphasize counters. However, that is where Ford’s impeccable and superior ring IQ comes into play. He can adapt to the situation quickly and possesses a strong chin that doesn’t shake under pressure. So, if he plays his card right, he can completely shake Mattice under pressure, outclassing him with his technical brilliance.

Our prediction: Thomas Mattice should look to end this fight early. If it goes to distance, Raymond Ford will win via a unanimous decision because of his superior boxing skills.

Who is your pick between Raymond Ford and Thomas Mattice? Who walks out with his hands raised? Let us know your thoughts down below.