Foster: “It’s Time To Shut Him Up”

“I’m just ready to shut little dude up,” Foster told The Ring. “He makes no sense. It’s time to shut him up and humble him.”

The tension stems largely from Ford’s repeated claims that Foster had been avoiding him. According to Foster, that narrative is completely false.

The Orange, Texas native emphasized that:

• This fight is an optional title defense
• He was never obligated to face Ford
• Matchroom Boxing initially approached him on short notice last year

Even Foster noted that Ford’s own promoter, Eddie Hearn, acknowledged during a press conference that Foster did not have to take the fight.

Foster Rejects “Duck” Accusations

One of Foster’s biggest frustrations revolves around claims that he “ducked” Ford before Ford’s August 2025 fight against Abraham Nova. Foster says Matchroom offered him the fight with only about three weeks to prepare while he was already training for another opponent.

“They was trying to catch me at a bad time,” Foster said.

At the time:

• Foster had already signed to fight Stephen Fulton
• He was preparing for an orthodox fighter
• Ford is a southpaw, requiring different sparring and preparation

Foster believes Ford’s team hoped to capitalize on a shortened camp rather than face him fully prepared.

Foster Coming Off Dominant Fulton Win

O’Shaquie Foster enters the matchup riding momentum after dominating Stephen Fulton in December. That bout ultimately took place for the WBC interim lightweight title after Fulton missed weight for their originally planned junior lightweight championship fight.

Foster now sits as:

• The Ring’s No. 2 junior lightweight contender
• One of the division’s most technically respected champions

Only unified champion Emanuel Navarrete ranks ahead of him in The Ring’s ratings.

Meanwhile, Raymond Ford is attempting to become a two-division champion after previously holding the WBA featherweight title.

The 27-year-old southpaw from Camden, New Jersey, is currently ranked No. 6 by The Ring at 130 pounds and believes his style and youth can trouble Foster. Ford enters with a record of 18-1-1 with nine knockouts.

The matchup arrives at a pivotal time for the junior lightweight division.

Potential future fights loom involving:

• Emanuel Navarrete
• Vasiliy Lomachenko
• Other top contenders at 130 pounds

But Foster says none of that matters until he handles Ford first. Saturday night, the champion plans to deliver what he calls a lesson in humility.