Ford challenges O’Shaquie for the WBC super featherweight title in Houston, Texas, looking for a two-division world champion. The build-up has been heating up, with Ford and Foster exchanging words during fight week and Ford appearing more animated than usual during their latest press conference.
Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn said afterward that Ford should avoid allowing those emotions into the ring.
“Ray has to be Ray,” Hearn said during the DAZN broadcast. “Don’t start turning it on trying to control emotion and knock the guy out in the early rounds.”
The comments were unusual because Ford has typically been one of the quieter fighters in the sport. Even in tough fights against Otabek Kholmatov and Nick Ball, he generally remained calm under pressure. This week seemed different.
Ford shoved O’Shaquie during one faceoff and repeatedly exchanged words with the champion’s team during Thursday’s press conference. Foster seized on that change in behavior, repeatedly describing Ford as emotional and suggesting he let the occasion get to him.
Hearn admitted that this is a different side of Ford than fans are used to seeing.
“Ray has never been in a fight like this,” Hearn said.
The promoter emphasized that Ford’s success will depend on sticking to the style that helped him become a world featherweight champion rather than chasing an early knockout.
Ford enters the fight 3-0 since moving to 130 pounds. O’Shaquie, meanwhile, is considered 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.
