In moving to 17-1-1 (8 KOs) with a resounding 10-round decision win over Thomas Mattice, Ray Ford is keen to show he’s the world’s leading junior lightweight.
The ex-WBA champion, from Camden, New Jersey, took every round against Mattice at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on Saturday in the co-feature to Jaron Ennis’ victory over Eimantas Stanionis.
After the fight, Mattice told Ford that he was both stronger and sharper than he thought he would be, and Ford wants to prove he is the best in the division.
“Even before this performance, I felt I was ready,” Ford told BoxingScene. “I still feel like I’m the best in the division. I still feel like no one in the division can beat me, so it’s up to these guys to try to prove me wrong.”
The 26-year-old said he wants to go “the easiest route next”, which means he’s hoping his promotional stablemate at Matchroom, Eduardo Nunez, collects the vacant IBF title against Masanori Rikishi on May 28 in Japan.
“I want to fight the best. Don’t take it as disrespect,” Ford added. “I want my shot. I want the world title.”
He admitted that, halfway through the fight, that he might not be able to get rid of Mattice, and therefore settled for a decision and progressed onto his next fight.
“I was sayin’ in the corner, he’s not goin’. He knows how to defend himself, even when he gets hurt he knows how to tie you up. He was a smart veteran.”
Mattice, from Cleveland, is now 22-5-1 (17 KOs).
