Ford embraces underdog role ahead of Foster title clash

Raymond Ford says he feels like an underdog going into his WBC featherweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">super-featherweight title defence against O'Shaquie Foster. The champion believes public attention has cast him in an unfamiliar position despite holding the belt.

“I actually feel like an underdog. I felt like an underdog with Kholmatov too, but this fight, I'm really feeling it, because it's a lot of eyes on this fight. I really feel like an underdog, and that's how I've been training.”

— Raymond Ford, via Ring Magazine

What Raymond Ford said

Ford defends his WBC 130-pound title against Foster in a bout that has drawn significant interest. Speaking to Ring Magazine, the champion said the scrutiny has shaped his camp. Ford referenced his previous fight with Otabek Kholmatov, where he also felt overlooked, but said the Foster challenge has intensified that feeling.

What it moves

Ford's mindset suggests he is using external doubt as motivation. Foster will likely respond by pointing to his own credentials at featherweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">super-featherweight. The WBC has the fight as a title defence, meaning the sanctioning body considers Ford the A-side regardless of his self-perception going into the bout.

Source: ringmagazine.com. Full Raymond Ford fight history and recent news at boxingnews.com.