Ford rallies to dramatically stop Kholmatov in final seconds for title
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Raymond Ford, with his lifelong dream of winning a world title about to slip away, mustered a finish for the ages on Saturday night.
In need of a knockout in the final round, Ford dramatically stopped Otabek Kholmatov with seven seconds left in the 12th of a superb fight to win the vacant WBA featherweight title in the main event of a Top Rank Boxing on ESPN+ card at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York.
Down 106-103 on two scorecards and leading 105-104 on one, Ford got the stunning stoppage to become just the 15th fighter in the history of world title bouts to trail going into the last round and score a knockout to win.
“Honestly, I didn’t even hear (the ring announcer) say ‘and new.’ I was just so in the moment. This is a blessing,” Ford said as he covered his face and began to cry.
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