O’SHAQUIE FOSTER remains unconvinced that Raymond Ford, who has expressed his ambition to become a two-division world champion, truly wants to lock horns with him.
From an outside perspective, it seems that the WBC super-featherweight champion has never shied away from a challenge, much less one that would earn him ample credibility within boxing circles.
That said, Ford, 18-1-1 (8 KOs), has been quick to suggest that Foster, 23-3 (12 KOs), is not exactly in the market for an all-American clash between two talented slicksters.
Should it ever materialise, their matchup would almost certainly make for a compelling spectacle, especially when considering the world-class prowess that both operators bring to the table.
But for now, Foster has business to take care of in a rescheduled title defence against Stephen Fulton, the WBC featherweight champion, on October 25.
The pair were supposed to square off last month, featuring on the undercard of Gervonta Davis vs Lamont Roach 2, only for ‘Tank’ to instead land himself an exhibition match with Jake Paul.
As a result, Foster has been forced to remain out of the ring since last November, back when he edged a split decision against Robson Conceicao and, in doing so, exacted his revenge over the crafty Brazilian.
Ford, meanwhile, comes off a comprehensive points victory over Abraham Nova, a former Foster opponent, in just his third outing at 130lbs.
Prior to his win, though, the 26-year-old told Boxing News that Foster, who was originally set to face Fulton on the same date – August 16 – could have quite easily been drafted in as a more appealing opponent.
But regardless of Ford’s consistent call-outs, Foster insists that, without any engagement from promoter Eddie Hearn, there is little chance of their showdown ever coming to fruition.
“I think he just wanted to call out the best guy [at 130lbs], but really, he didn’t want to make nothing happen,” the 31-year-old told Boxing News.
“If he wanted the fight, we would’ve made it happen, but then he went down the IBF route and started calling for [IBF champion Eduardo ‘Sugar’] Nunez.
“Eddie Hearn ain’t said my name once, but then you see this dude [Ford] always calling my name. Somebody’s not telling the truth, because if Eddie Hearn is his promoter, he would openly say that he’s trying to make the fight between me and [Ford].
“This is why I respect Fulton. If you say that you’re going to do something, then go do it.
“He’s already got a daddy – Shakur [Stevenson is] his daddy – but it’s like he [Ford] wants to be my son or some s***.”
