Ray Ford’s World Title Ambition: Why A Win Against Abraham Nova Is His Path To O’Shaquie Foster Or Sugar Nunez

Ray Ford says he hopes his next fight after his August 16th clash against Abraham Nova will be for a world title against super featherweight champions Sugar Nunez or O’Shaquie Foster. Ford (17-1-1, 8 KOs) has no preference for which of the two champs he challenges.

Nova Fight is a Must-Win

Ford is fighting replacement opponent Nova (24-3-1, 17 KOs) in a 12-round undercard fight in Riyadh. The event will be shown live on DAZN PPV. Ray can’t afford another off night like we saw in his loss to Nick Ball or his controversial 12th-round knockout win over Otabek Kholmatov in 2024. He took a beating in both of those fights.

“My main thing is I want the world title. So, if it’s not one of them, then I don’t really care who I’m fighting,” said Raymond Ford to Boxing Social, discussing his recent fight against Anthony Cacace falling through. “I’ve been talking to my team. They know what I want [a world title shot], and hopefully, they can get it done for me.”

Ford, 26, has won his last two fights since losing to Nick Ball by a 12-round split decision last year. He could have won that fight if he had put more pressure on Ball, who outworked him. He’s got to change his style because he doesn’t have the power to consistently brawl with the powerful 130-pounders. He’s already starting to look and sound weary, like a fighter who has had a long pro career, despite this being only his sixth year.

Path to Foster or Nunez

“Boxing isn’t as fun as it used to be. The business part of it is frustrating, but everybody has got to go through it. I just need to make sure I put myself in a position. I hope so,” said Ford when asked if he’d like for his next fight to be a title shot against super featherweight champions Sugar Nunez or O’Shaquie Foster.

“That’s the fight that makes the most sense to me [Foster]. I don’t care what belt it is. I’m jumping at any opportunity.