Featherweights will take over New York on March 2 when Otabek Kholmatov headlines in Verona against Raymond Ford in a bout for the vacant WBA title on March 2.
Kholmatov (12-0) only turned pro in 2021 but he's made an immediate impact. The fighter from Uzbekistan knocked out Thomas Patrick Ward and Balam Acosta last year to earn this title shot. Never one to trash talk, Kholmatov is the WBA's No. 1 challenger and lets his fist do the talking.
Ford (14-0-1) was an excellent amateur and he's coming off a career-best win over former champion Jessie Magdaleno last April. The quick-fisted southpaw is ranked No. 2 by the WBA.
Another featherweight title fight has been booked for the co-main event, while the grandson of a legend competes on the undercard.
WATCH: Otabek Kholmatov vs. Raymond Ford, exclusively on ESPN+
Here’s a breakdown of the entire Otabek Kholmatov vs. Raymond Ford undercard.
Otabek Kholmatov vs. Raymond Ford undercard
Luis Alberto Lopez vs. Reiya Abe
- Division/Weight: Featherweight
- Lopez record: 29-2
- Abe record: 25-3-1
- Belts at stake: IBF featherweight title
Luis Alberto Lopez defends the IBF featherweight title against Reiya Abe in the co-main event.
Lopez (29-2) turned pro in 2015. "El Venado" defeated Josh Warrington for the world title and has won 12 bouts in a row. The Mexican star has defended the championship twice, with his last fight being a decision win over Joet Gonzalez in September.
Abe (25-3-1) turned pro in 2013 and is on a six-fight win streak. The Japanese fighter's last outing was a decision win over ex-champ Kiko Martinez in April.
Brian Norman Jr. vs. Janelson Bocachica
- Division/Weight: Welterweight
- Norman record: 25-0
- Bocachica record: 17-2-1
- Belts at stake: N/A
Brian Norman Jr. faces Janelson Bocachica.
Norman (25-0) turned pro in 2018. Son of former super middleweight fighter Brian Norman Sr., "Assassin II" won three fights in 2023 after not competing in 2022. His last fight was a decision win over Quinton Randall in November.
Bocachica (17-2-1) turned pro in 2016. The 25-year-old is 1-2-1 in his last four fights and is on a two-fight losing streak. His last contest was a decision loss to Alberto Palmetta in November.
Nico Ali Walsh vs. Luke Iannuccilli
- Division/Weight: Middleweight
- Walsh record: 8-1
- Iannuccilli record: 7-0
- Belts at stake: N/A
Also on the card is Nico Ali Walsh vs. Luke Iannuccilli.
The grandson of Muhammad Ali, Walsh (8-1) turned pro in 2021 and things have been getting tough of late. A draw was overturned when opponent Danny Rosenberger failed a drug test, then the 23-year-old suffered a tight decision loss to Sona Akale in August.
MORE: Muhammad Ali's family tree
Iannuccilli (7-0) turned pro in 2022. The 28-year-old last fought in August, beating Ryan Clark via decision.
Rohan Polanco vs. Tarik Zaina
- Division/Weight: Welterweight
- Polanco record: 11-0
- Zaina record: 13-0-1
- Belts at stake: N/A
Rohan Polanco fights Tarik Zaina.
Polanco (11-0) turned pro in 2020. "El Rayo" last fought in December, beating Keith Hunter via TKO.
Zaina (13-0-1) turned pro in 2020. "El Camello" won his last fight in November against Marcelino Nicolas Lopez.
Troy Isley vs. Marcos Hernandez
- Division/Weight: Middleweight
- Isley record: 11-0
- Hernandez record: 16-6-2
- Belts at stake: N/A
Troy Isley faces Marcos Hernandez.
A two-time bronze medalist, Isley (11-0) turned pro in 2021. "Transformer" last fought in November, beating Vladimir Hernandez via decision.
Hernandez (16-6-2) turned pro in 2013. "Madman" is 2-2 in his last four fights, with his last contest being a decision win over Jeremy Ramos last March.
MORE: Who wins Otabek Kholmatov vs. Raymond Ford?
Floyd Diaz vs. Edwin Rodriguez
- Division/Weight: Bantamweight
- Diaz record: 10-0
- Rodriguez record: 12-7-2
- Belts at stake: N/A
Also on the card is Floyd Diaz vs. Edwin Rodriguez.
Diaz (10-0) turned pro in 2021. "Cashflow" last fought in November, when he beat Max Ornelas via split decision.
Rodriguez (12-7-2) turned pro in 2012. The 30-year-old is 2-2-2 in his last six fights and ended a two-fight losing streak against Edgardo Rolon Valera in December.
Brandon Moore vs. Helaman Olguin
- Division/Weight: Heavyweight
- Moore record: 13-0
- Olguin record: 9-6-1
- Belts at stake: N/A
Brandon Moore fights Helaman Olguin.
Moore (13-0) turned pro in 2020. He beat Robert Simms in November to win the NABF junior heavyweight title.
Olguin (9-6-1) turned pro in 2008. The 40-year-old is 0-3-1 in his last four fights, with his last outing being a decision loss to Damian Knyba in June.
Bryce Mills vs. Gerffred Ngayot
- Division/Weight: Super Lightweight
- Mills record: 14-1
- Ngayot record: 6-1
- Belts at stake: N/A
Finally, Bryce Mills faces Gerffred Ngayot.
Mills (14-1) turned pro in 2020. The 22-year-old is on an eight-fight win streak, with his last contest being a TKO win over Tackie Annan in December.
MORE: Who is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world?
Gerffred Ngayot (6-1) turned pro in 2019. "The Authentic" is on a two-fight win streak, but he was inactive throughout 2023. His last bout was a TKO victory over Juan Carlos Montanez Cirilo in October 2022.
When is Otabek Kholmatov vs. Raymond Ford?
Otabek Kholmatov vs. Raymond Ford airs on March 2 at 9 p.m. ET.
| Region | Date | Main Card Start Time | Main Event Ring Walks (approx.) |
| USA and Canada (ET) | Saturday, March 2 | 9 p.m. ET | 11:30 p.m. ET |
| USA and Canada (PT) | Saturday, March 2 | 6 p.m. PT | 8:30 p.m. PT |
| UK and Ireland | Sunday, March 3 | 2 a.m. GMT | 4:30 p.m. GMT |
|
Australia |
Sunday, March 3 | 1 p.m. AEDT | 3:30 p.m. AEDT |
WATCH: Otabek Kholmatov vs. Raymond Ford, exclusively on ESPN+
How to watch Otabek Kholmatov vs. Raymond Ford: TV channel, live stream
| Region | TV channel | Live streaming |
| USA | ESPN | ESPN+ |
| Canada | — | TSN+ |
| UK and Ireland | Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Arena | Sky GO |
| Australia | — | TBC |
The Otabek Kholmatov vs. Raymond Ford main card will air on ESPN+ in the U.S. The undercard will air exclusively on ESPN+.
Otabek Kholmatov vs. Raymond Ford price: How much does the event cost?
You can pay $10.99 for a monthly subscription to ESPN+ or buy an annual subscription for $109.99.
| Product | Prices |
|---|---|
| ESPN+ Monthly Subscription | $10.99/mo |
| ESPN+ Annual Subscription | $109.99/yr |
| The Disney Bundle w/Hulu Ad-Supported | $14.99/mo |
| The Disney Bundle w/Hulu No-Ads | $24.99/mo |
