Otabek Kholmatov dismissed former WBA featherweight champion Leigh Wood as ‘never a real champion.’
Wood is a two-time world champion having beaten Xu Can for the WBA (Regular) title and then won his rematch against Mauricio Lara for the WBA strap having lost the initial match-up, and also recorded an astonishing knockout win over Michael Conlan in the last round of their 2022 fight.
He has since vacated the belt, leading to Kholmatov’s clash with Raymond Ford on March 2 in New York, live on ESPN+ in the US (click here for more details).
US fighter Ford and Uzbekistan’s Kholmatov both bring undefeated records into the clash, and the latter is confident he will be the winner.
“This fight is just the beginning of my journey and towards the pinnacle of the sport, glory and universal recognition,” Kholmatov told BoxingScene.com. “My whole country is at home waiting for my victory because boxing is the most popular sport in Uzbekistan.
“I don’t think he is very good. I really don't expect much from Ford at all, he doesn't have any power. I don't think he'll last more than five rounds with me. You will see.
“Just like in all my previous fights, you will see another beautiful knockout. Ford is nothing special.”
As for Wood, he clearly does not hold him in high regard.
“Leigh Wood has never been a real champion,” Kholmatov added. “He was afraid to fight me, otherwise he would have faced his challenges. My name, not his, will remain in the history of world boxing.”
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