Otabek Kholmatov vs. Raymond Ford: Fight date, time, undercard & how to watch

Two of the major contenders in the featherweight division face off in what should be a blockbuster clash between Otabek Kholmatov and Raymond Ford in early March.

The unbeaten duo look set to put on an entertaining affair in one of boxing’s most intriguing divisions.

Otabek Kholmatov vs. Raymond Ford date

The bout between Otabek Kholmatov and Raymond Ford is scheduled to take place on March 2.

Otabek Kholmatov vs. Raymond Ford start time

The ring walks for the fight between Otabek Kholmatov and Raymond Ford are scheduled to take place at roughly 11 PM ET in the United States, and 4 AM (Sunday) in the United Kingdom.

Otabek Kholmatov vs. Raymond Ford venue

The fight between Otabek Kholmatov and Raymond Ford is set to take place at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York.

The arena holds 5,000 people and also hosts concerts and other shows throughout the year.

How to watch Otabek Kholmatov vs. Raymond Ford

The fight between Otabek Kholmatov and Raymond Ford is set to be shown in the United States on ESPN+.

Are there any belts on the line in Otabek Kholmatov vs. Raymond Ford?

This fight between Otabek Kholmatov and Raymond Ford is for the vacant WBA featherweight championship.

Neither man has ever held a world title before. The belt was last held by Leigh Wood from May 27, 2023 to October 17, 2023.

Otabek Kholmatov record

Otabek Kholmatov had an impressive amateur career in Uzbekistan, becoming the bronze medalist of 2016 AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships.

He then made his professional debut against Marcello Williams in Florida in 2021, running out an easy winner via first-round knockout.

Further knockout victories over Carlos Ovando, Roberto Lopez, Juan Gabriel Medina, Pablo Gomez and Pedro Ramirez saw the young fighters’ stock rise higher and he continued on the knockout train, winning his first nine professional fights before the judges’ scorecards could decide.

His first unanimous decision win came against Andranik Grigoryan in Florida in March 2022 and as he continued to attract attention a fight was arranged with Thomas Patrick Ward, scheduled for March 2023 at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle, England.

Kholmatov knocked Ward out to further cement his place as one of the main contenders in the featherweight division.

In total, Kholmatov has a professional record of 11 wins from 11 fights, 10 of which have come by way of knockout.

Raymond Ford record

Raymond Ford made his professional debut against Weusi Johnson in Pennsylvania in 2019, winning a four-round bout by unanimous decision.

The featherweight then travelled overseas for his next fight, taking on Aleksandrs Berkensbergs in the Nottingham Arena later in 2019, winning that on the judges’ scorecards too.

Ford continued to rise through the ranks with victories over Isidro Figueroa, Rafael Castillo and Francisco Muro before securing back-to-back wins over Eric Manriquez and Rafael Reyes in 2020.

The first major sticking point in Ford’s career came with a draw against Aaron Perez in Dallas in March 2021.

Ford bounced back with victory over Reece Bellotti on a Matchroom card in Essex in 2021 to take the WBA Continental Americas featherweight title and continued to impress with wins over Deliz Caraballo and Edward Vazquez.

The American has retained the WBA Continental Americas featherweight belt with defenses against Richard Medina and Sakaria Lukas.

Ford continued to prove his class in his latest bout, a non-title fight that saw him taking on former WBO junior featherweight champion Jessie Magdaleno last year.

The 24-year-old, who was a Golden Gloves champion as an amateur, won comfortably in that clash to set up this title fight.

Ford has a record of 14 wins and one draw from his 15 professional fights.

Otabek Kholmatov vs. Raymond Ford odds

Otabek Kholmatov is the favorite to win this clash, he is -165 to have his hand raised while Raymond Ford is the +135 underdog to be victorious. A draw is available at +1400.

Kholmatov is +162 to win by way of knockout and is +275 to win by decision. Ford is a +225 chance to win on the judge’s scorecards and +600 to knock his opponent out.

Otabek Kholmatov vs. Raymond Ford Undercard

• Luis Alberto Lopez vs. Reiya Abe, 12 rounds, Featherweight – Lopez’s IBF featherweight title 
• Brian Norman Jr. vs. Janelson Figueroa Bocachica, 10 rounds, Welterweight – Norman’s WBO International welterweight title 
• Duke Ragan vs. Brandon Valdes, 8 rounds, Featherweight 
• Rohan Polanco vs. Tarik Zaina, 8 rounds, Junior Welterweight 
• Troy Isley vs. Marcos Hernandez, 8 rounds, Middleweight 
• Brandon Moore vs. Helaman Olguin, 8 rounds, Heavyweight 
• Floyd Diaz vs. Edwin Rodriguez, 8 rounds, Bantamweight 
• Nico Ali Walsh vs. TBA, 6 rounds, Middleweight 
• Bryce Mills vs. Gerffred Ngayot, 6 rounds, Junior Welterweight

Odds mentioned in this article were correct at the time of writing and are subject to change.