Kholmatov vs. Ford

The official Tapology discussion thread for the event!

Perfect timing for me to have just moved back home.  Expect to see me in the front row

@ccollins44 

You need to livestream it for us

Good luck to my buddies Nico and Troy. Troy also says don't sleep on Ray Ford. (Edit: My bad, it was Stevenson that said don't sleep on Ray Ford.)

* Edited at 02.25.2024, 1:39 AM ET *

@kao5 

I definitely agree with you about not sleeping on Ray Ford, saying that the Tapology %  has swung a bit more in his favour lately.   This is a 50/50 fight in my mind and the bookies agree as they only have Kholmatov as a real slight favourite.  I think that's a little bit to do with the reputation that Eastern European fighters have (which is well deserved) and the complete ass whooping Kholmatov put on Thomas Ward in away territory, he beat him down BAD!!!! But I always thought Ward had a bit of a paper thin record for being 34-0, really Ward should have already had a loss vs Essomba from years ago. Very lucky to get a Technical draw after a bad cut stopped it early.  The same can be said about Kholmatov other best win vs Grigoryan who has looked terrible since losing his 0 vs Kholmatov. 

Anyway, Ford is a very well schooled slick boxer with a tone of USA Boxing amateur experience and accomplishments.   He did have issues with Vasquez, a pressure puncher, many felt Ford lost that. But he also has a draw that he clearly won!!
Ford has looked better and better each outing, especially vs.Magdaleno and the Belloti win looks better and better as Bellotti continues to build a decent win streak after Ford destroyed him in 3!

Another thing I am weary about Kholmatov is all those wins in Columbia.  There's a few gyms, mostly from the Florida area that take their boxers on trips to Columbia where they go and fight absolute washed guys and pick up 3 or 4 early KOs in the space of a month or so. The only thing I can think it achieves is padding the record with KO wins because they certainly aren't getting tested! 
So I also feel Ford has fought the better competition overall and is the better boxer. I am not going to write off Kholmatov, definitely not! As he is for sure a puncher with a good amateur record himself (Bronze at the World Youths in 2016) and the reputation of Uzbek, Kazakh, Tajik etc. is well warranted. 

Anyway, I have said my piece!  Only came here to say I thought Ford has a good chance and up writing an essay!!!  Looking forward to a good fight and interested to see how it plays out. 



Oh, also. Although I do enjoy Lopez's reckless, wild offensive style. It still is wild and reckless.  He has been out boxed before (by Ruben Villa who fights soon)  I'll never understand why Conlan decided to go to war with Lopez when he was more than capable of boxing him up. Reiya Abe is a very good boxer, Japan is on fire at the moment!!!  I'd still be surprised if Abe wins, especially a decision vs. A Top Rank fighter but he has a path to victory is all I'm saying. 

@Mikey1903 

I have watched some more videos on Kholmatov vs Ford. I have not done my full research but it seems that it will probably be whoever's style can win out/be more effective, come-forward vs slick boxer.

Kholmatov vs. Ford
Otabek Kholmatov, TKO, R5
Kholmatov will be undisputed champion

Kholmatov vs. Ford
Otabek Kholmatov, DEC
The "Warrior" U-DEC over the "Savage"

Lopez vs. Abe
Luis Alberto Lopez, DEC
"El Venado" U-DEC Abe

Norman Jr. vs. Bocachica
Brian Norman Jr., DEC
"The Assassin II" U-DEC Bocachica

Polanco vs. Zaina
Rohan Polanco, TKO, R5
"El Rayo"KO's "Sandstorm" N 5

Isley vs. Hernandez
Troy Isley, TKO, R3
The "Transformer" KO's "Madman" N

Moore vs. Olguin
Brandon Moore, TKO, R2
Moore KO's Olguin N 2

Diaz vs. Rodriguez
Floyd Diaz, TKO, R3
"Cashflow" KO's "Puto" N 3

Mills vs. Ngayot
Bryce Mills, DEC
Mills U-DEC over "The Authentic". With the kid's athleticism, he is going to be dancing around that ring.

Walsh vs. Stanford
Nico Ali Walsh, TKO, R2
Walsh KO's "The Trinity" N 2. Thinking n 3?? Nice Tatt's on both.

Lopez vs. Abe
I want Luis Alberto Lopez at -850. He has a zingy sleeper slam. Lopez should wobble the dark horse. Trust me!

Kholmatov vs. Ford
I have got Otabek Kholmatov at -160. He has a scintillating triangle choke. Kholmatov must locate the enemy.

ride with Ford, become the lord.

WHAT A FIGHT!!! WHAT A FINISH!!!!

Why the **** would you stop that? No count? 10 seconds left, first time he's hurt all fight... What the **** 😂😂 

Top rank is so bad 😂😂 

Can't just sit on the ropes with your back to your opponent while clearly hurt

Quite the match. I assumed Kholmatov would need to win by knockout or Ford would win by decision but it ended up being quite the opposite.

Ford might already have fight of the year secured 

Hell of a fight to watch live.  Also, getting to my seats at the start of the event and a friend I was with was like, “who’s that old guy sitting right in front of you.  He looks important”.  I look up…it’s ****** Bob Arum