This Saturday, March 2, at Turning Stone Resort Casino, the Uzbek sensation Otabek Kholmatov (12-0, 11 KOs) is set to tangle with America’s own Raymond Ford (14-0-1, 7 KOs) for the vacant WBA featherweight world title. It’s a showdown where the WBA’s top dogs, the No.1 and No. 2 contenders, will throw down in their first-ever title fights, making history and probably a mess in the ring.
On the undercard, Luis Alberto Lopez (29-2, 16 KOs), puts his IBF featherweight belt on the line against Japan’s Reiya Abe (25-3-1, 10 KOs). Expect fists to fly and maybe even some egos to bruise.
The entire event in the U.S. LIVE on ESPN+, kicking off 5 pm ET. The Lopez-Abe scuffle is penciled in for around bedtime 10 pm ET
The undercard is packing heat with welterweight Brian Norman Jr. (25-0, 19 KOs) squaring off against Janelson Bocachica (17-2-1, 11 KOs) in what promises to be a 10-round dance of destruction. And for dessert, middleweight hopeful Nico Ali Walsh (9-1, 5 KOs) is duking it out with Charles Stanford (7-5, 4 KOs) in a six-rounder that’s sure to be… interesting.
Otabek Kholmatov, with a record that’s as clean as a whistle at 12-0 and 11 KOs, stepped into the pro scene back in August 2021 and quickly racked up nine knockouts, making the boxing world sit up and take notice. Last March, he ventured into the lion’s den to face the then-undefeated Brit, Thomas Patrick Ward. Kholmatov unleashed a fury that saw Ward hit the canvas thrice, leading to a dramatic towel throw from the corner in round five.
Raymond Ford, boasting a record of 14-0-1 with 7 KOs, swapped his amateur gloves, where he was a two-time national Golden Gloves champ, for the pro ranks in March 2019. Out of fifteen bouts, Ford’s record is almost spotless, save for a draw against Aaron Perez in 2021. Since then, the Camden, New Jersey native has been on a tear, bagging six wins with three coming by way of knockout, even toppling giants like Edward Vazquez, Richard Medina, and the ex-world champ Jessie Magdaleno.
In the evening’s second marquee fight, Luis Alberto Lopez is set to defend his IBF title against Japan’s Reiya Abe.
Lopez (29-2, 16 KOs), Mexicali’s own warrior, snagged the IBF belt from Josh Warrington in Leeds, then hopped over to Belfast to stop Michael Conlan in the fifth. His latest feat was outdueling Joet Gonzalez over 12 rounds for a unanimous decision win in September.
Abe (25-3-1, 10 KOs), sitting pretty as the IBF’s No. 1 contender, has rebounded from early career hiccups with a standout win over Ren Sasaki in 2020. Five unbeaten fights later, he’s fresh off a decision win in a title eliminator against the seasoned Kiko Martinez.
The undercard, kicking off at 5:20 p.m. ET/2:20 p.m. PT, promises fireworks with appearances from Dominican Olympian Rohan Polanco (11-0, 7 KOs) and Nico Ali Walsh (9-1, 5 KOs).
Behind the mics, calling the night’s action will be ESPN’s own Joe Tessitore, the legendary Timothy Bradley, Jr., Mark Kriegel, and Bernardo Osuna, ensuring you don’t miss a beat of the heart-pounding action.
Brought to you by Top Rank, tickets are flying off the shelves like hotcakes at the Turning Stone Resort Casino Box Office. You can also play it cool and book your spot from the comfort of your own home via Ticketmaster.com or by dialing 800.771.7711 and possibly waiting on hold for an eternity.
Weights: Otabek Kholmatov and Raymond Ford tipped the scales at 125.8 and 125.9 lbs respectively. Both will be squaring off for the vacant WBA Featherweight World Title over a grueling 12 rounds.
Luis Alberto Lopez, weighing in at 125.3 lbs, puts his IBF Featherweight World Title on the line against Reiya Abe, who’s not far behind at 125.8 lbs, in another 12-round showdown that promises fireworks.
Then, the welterweights take the stage with Brian Norman Jr. and Janelson Bocachica, weighing 147.2 and 146.6 lbs respectively, ready to duke it out over 10 rounds. Meanwhile, Bryce Mills and Gerffred Ngayot, both hitting the scales at 138.7 lbs, are set to show off their skills in the junior welterweight division for 6 rounds.
Middleweight action sees Troy Isley and Marcos Hernandez, weighing in at 159.3 and 160.6 lbs respectively, going head to head for 8 rounds. In the same vein, Rohan Polanco and Tarik Zaina, weighing 142.9 and 142.4 lbs, are prepped for an 8-round junior welterweight tussle.
The bantamweights aren’t left out, with Floyd Diaz and Edwin Rodriguez stepping onto the scale at 118 and 117.8 lbs respectively, ready to battle it out over 8 rounds. Nico Ali Walsh and Charles Stanford, weighing 156.9 and 155.1 lbs, are up next in a middleweight fight scheduled for 6 rounds.
Capping off the night, the heavyweights make their presence felt as Brandon Moore and Helaman Olguin weigh in at a solid 242 and 281.7 lbs, set to clash for 8 rounds.
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