Raymond Ford drops majority decision to O’Shaquie Foster in WBC title fight

O’Shaquie Foster retained his WBC junior lightweight title on Saturday, May 30, turning back the challenge of former featherweight titleholder Raymond Ford by majority decision at the Fertitta Center in Houston.

One judge scored the bout even at 114-114, while the other two favored Foster by scores of 116-112 and 118-110. Foster improved to 25-3 (12 KOs), while Camden’s Ford fell to 18-2-1 (8 KOs).

The fight began with immediate drama when Foster shoved Ford through the ropes and out of the ring during a heated opening round. Ford quickly regained his footing and settled into the fight, enjoying success in the early and middle rounds.

As the fight wore on, however, Foster’s experience and ring generalship began to separate him from the challenger. The defending champion closed strongly, particularly in the championship rounds, where his sharper work and superior conditioning helped secure the victory on the scorecards. Foster was especially effective in the 11th and 12th rounds, which proved pivotal in a closely contested bout.

The win was the third straight for Foster, a two-time 130-pound titleholder, while the 27-year-old Ford sees his three-fight winning streak snapped. Afterwards, Foster was confronted in the ring by another New Jersey boxer – the undefeated Shakur Stevenson – whom he says he would like to face next. If a Stevenson showdown can’t be lined up, Foster says he’d like to join the growing list of fighters who want a shot at unified 130-pound champion Emanuel Navarrete.

Photo by Zachariah Delgado/ Matchroom Boxing