Raymond Ford continued his rise through the featherweight division on Saturday as he won the vacant WBA title by overcoming Otabek Kholmatov.
The fight appeared to be going the distance until Ford was able to get the stoppage in the dying seconds, and now the 24-year-old can look forward to his next fight with a belt around his waist.
While Ford was still showing the effects of the 12-round battle on Saturday night and sporting a sizeable gash under his left eye, Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn couldn't help but look forward to bigger and brighter things for the New Jersey native.
Hearn even raised the possibility of putting Ford in the upcoming Matchroom vs. Queensbury event that's scheduled for the undercard of Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol on June 1, with another potential champion on the other side of the ring.
"Next week in Saudi there's a great fight, Nick Ball against Rey Vargas [for Vargas' WBC featherweight title]," Hearn said moments after Ford claimed the WBA title. "It'll be really interesting to see who wins that, you know. If Nick Ball wins, maybe we get that cut stitched up and stick Ray on the 5v5 [event]."
While a lot has to happen for a potential Ford vs. Ball fight to materialise — most notably Ball actually beating Vargas at "Knockout Chaos" on March 8, live on DAZN PPV — Hearn said the future looks bright for Ford either way.
"He's become a star now in American boxing," he said. "A lot of people watched that show tonight.
"A lot of people will become a Ray Ford fan and I'd like to see him make one or two defences, maybe a unification, and then move up to super feather[weight]."
Live on DAZN PPV: Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou on March 8. Click here for details and how to purchase.