O'Shaquie Foster defends his WBC title against Raymond Ford in Houston on May 30, as both fighters look to prove dominance in a heated super-featherweight clash.
O’Shaquie Foster will defend his WBC super-featherweight world title against Raymond Ford on May 30 at the Fertitta Center in Houston, headlining a high-stakes clash that will be broadcast live worldwide on DAZN.
The bout marks the first defense of Foster’s second reign as champion at 130 pounds. The Houston native (24-3, 12 KOs) reclaimed the title in November 2024 with a narrow split decision victory over Robson Conceição, avenging a loss from just four months earlier. Since regaining the belt, Foster has continued to build momentum, most recently delivering a composed and technical performance to outpoint Stephen Fulton Jr. in December.
Now, he returns home for the first time as a reigning world champion—a moment he has long envisioned.
“I’m happy and excited to fight at home for the first time as a world champion—it’s a dream come true,” said Foster. “We will be 1,000 percent prepared, and we will dominate from round one.”
Across the ring will stand Raymond Ford (18-1-1, 8 KOs), a dangerous and ambitious challenger aiming to become a two-division world champion. Ford previously captured a world title at featherweight in dramatic fashion, stopping Otabek Kholmatov in the final moments of their March 2024 bout. Since moving up to super-featherweight, he has won three consecutive fights and climbed to No. 2 in the WBC rankings.
Confident and outspoken, Ford has made it clear he sees this as his moment to seize another belt.
“I’m just happy he finally signed the contract,” said Ford. “When it came down to it, I was the biggest fight out there for him, and now it’s time to fight. He’s a good name for my resume, and I’m taking that belt on May 30 and becoming a two-weight world champion.”
Tensions between the fighters have been simmering in recent months, including a public confrontation at a fight in Phoenix in March, adding extra intrigue to an already compelling matchup.
Matchroom Chairman Eddie Hearn believes the bout has all the ingredients for a standout night in Texas.
“What a fight this is,” said Hearn. “O’Shaquie is a fantastic boxer, always in exciting fights, and a worthy world champion. But we’ve seen Ray go into hostile territory before and come out on top. On May 30, we believe lightning can strike twice, and ‘Savage’ can deliver something special.”
With hometown pride, championship stakes, and growing animosity between the fighters, Foster vs. Ford is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated clashes of the spring boxing calendar.