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Keys to Victory: The areas O’Shaquie Foster and Ray Ford will land significant damage
A contemptuous buildup between O’Shaquie Foster and Ray Ford has included plenty of jawing and each fighter pushing the other.
The hostilities all culminate tonight when Foster puts his WBC super featherweight world title at stake against Ford at the Fertitta Center in Houston, Texas, and exclusively live worldwide on DAZN. Foster believes soundly defeating Ford will unlock an opportunity to face WBO super lightweight world champion Shakur Stevenson.
Foster (24-3, 12 KOs) enters the bout coming off a breakthrough performance in a dominant unanimous decision over Stephen Fulton in December to retain his title. Meanwhile, Ford (18-1-1, 8 KOs) has found a home at super featherweight, recording three victories at 130 pounds including the unanimous decision he tendered against Abraham Nova in August.
Will Foster definitively defeat Ford to call for a mega bout with Stevenson? Or will Ford make good on his vow to break the champ? With the anticipation reaching a fever pitch, DAZN News examines the Keys to Victory for both the champ and challenger?
Foster & Ford Prepare for War in Texas
O’Shaquie Foster’s Keys to Victory
Assert range behind the jab early
O’Shaquie Foster owns three inches of reach advantage over Ray Ford and he ought to use it early to pepper the former featherweight world champion and keep him at bay.
Establishing the scoring stick could also pave the way for Foster to progressively walk Ford down and unleash heavier-handed punches as the bout goes on.
Master the distance against Ford’s pressure
Ford has been showing a more aggressive, pressuring style since moving up to super featherweight.
That makes it imperative for ‘Ice Water’ to freeze out Ford’s pressure by mastering the distance. This could be achieved by a subtle stepback or changing of directions — both tactics that Foster executes well within the flow of his underrated defense.
A well-timed counterpunch could also be used to manage the distance and keep the points scoring in his favor.
Keep the volume on high
Greeting a forward-fighting Ford with an incessant punching volume could be the exact way Foster retains his title with yet another punctuated statement performance.
Beating Ford to the punch and drowning him with output would also be his best bets to send an emphatic message to Ford’s sparring stablemate, Shakur Stevenson.
Ray Ford’s Keys to Victory
Pressure Foster in bursts
In beating Stephen Fulton with a sound boxing masterclass, O’Shaquie Foster showed his sweet science bag really runs deep.
Therefore, Ray Ford must pressure and be every bit of the ‘Savage’ that his ring moniker implies, but with caution.
Educated pressure in picking his spots in bursts would allow Ford to dazzle on judges’ scorecards and possibly hurt the WBC super featherweight world champion.
Deposit to the body
Watch Ford in action and he bangs to the body well. This could occur with a stab to the body. However, considering he’s giving up reach, Ford would be aided by sitting on his body punches in cramped quarters to ensure they’re loaded and sapping Foster’s energy with each land.
These hard deposits could pay major dividends as this bout treads into deep waters.
Win exchanges
Ford is going to step up to Foster, but when the champ returns the favor, the challenger must make a stand.
The former featherweight world titleholder must hold his own in the pocket with boxing resistance, enough to swat off a busy Foster or ‘Shock’ him altogether with output or a counterpunch he doesn’t see coming.
Judges have to see Ford winning exchanges inside or Foster might impose too much fight game en route to a homecoming title defense.
Analysis: Who has the edge in Foster vs. Ford?
DAZN News’ Mark Lelinwalla
Oddsmakers have installed Foster as a moderate favorite to hear “and still” by the end of tonight, but I think this fight might be a lot closer. Ford has stellar boxing ability behind ‘Savage’ drive. I just think he’s running into a roaring wave of confidence in ‘Shock.’ Being robbed of his title in a terrible split-decision against Robson Conceicao put a healthy chip on Foster’s shoulder. The Texas native dug in, snatched his title back to avenge that loss and retained with a statement over Stephen Fulton. He believes all who’s keeping him from a showdown with Shakur Stevenson is Ford. So, Foster cannot afford to squander that opportunity and is dripping with ‘Ice Water’ when it comes to boxing skills. I’m giving him the edge to win a hard-fought matchup on points tonight.
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