O’Shaquie Foster couldn’t keep a straight face Friday once he realized his insulting assessment of Raymond Ford’s fighting ability annoyed his upcoming opponent exactly the way he intended.
Foster realizes he accepted a legitimate challenge May 30 in Houston. The WBC super featherweight champion also assured Ford he’ll prove he is levels above the former WBA featherweight titleholder when they square off in a 12-round main event DAZN will stream from Fertitta Center, on the campus of the University of Houston . “I labeled him a five cuz I feel like he a decent fighter,” Foster said during a press conference at Fontainebleau Las Vegas. “I feel like he a good fighter, but I feel Imma show him what a great fighter looks like when they get in there with me.” The slightly favored Foster, 32, is ranked second among The Ring’s contenders for a vacant 130-pound championship . Ford, 27, is ranked sixth, yet Foster isn’t sure the southpaw from Camden, New Jersey is better than two of the most accomplished opponents he has defeated during his 13-year pro career – two-division champions Rey Vergas and Stephen Fulton . “Imma put him five because he hasn’t done nothing,” Foster said. “He won a title and then he lost it. And he hasn’t regained it.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IH0C5zfnh-s Ford dramatically won the WBA 126-pound championship in March 2024, when he rallied from three-point deficits on two scorecards to stop Otabek Kholmatov late in the 12th round in Verona, N.Y. The Ring named Ford-Kholmatov its “Fight of the Year” 10 months later . England’s Nick Ball beat Ford (18-1-1, 9 KOs) by split decision in his following fight, which led Ford to move up to junior lightweight. He has won each of his three 130-pound bouts by unanimous decision, but Foster questioned Ford’s overall level of opposition. Foster (24-3, 12 KOs) – an Orange, Texas native who resides and trains in Houston – is 14-1 since Ronald Chinea edged him by split decision in July 2016. He avenged his only loss during that stretch, a split decision to Robson Conceicao , when he won their immediate rematch by split decision in November 2024. Foster dominated Fulton in his last fight , a unanimous points win December 6 in San Antonio. That victory earned Foster the WBC interim lightweight title, but only because Fulton came in two pounds overweight for their 130-pound championship clash and the WBC strangely sanctioned Foster-Fulton as a lightweight title fight. “I’m a three-time champion, two-time, whatever y’all wanna say,” Foster said. “Three-time, two-time, don’t worry about it. Either way, hey, I’m handling my business. So, I’m rating you a five because you ain’t done nothing in the sport. You’re a good fighter, but I’m a great fighter.” Keith Idec is a senior writer and columnist for The Ring. He can be reached on X @idecboxing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtJrk_C5Nd4&t=294s
