Rising super-featherweight contender Raymond Ford has publicly challenged newly-crowned IBF world champion Eduardo Nunez for a fight.
The 26-year-old boxer posted his challenge on social media recently, soon after Nunez (28-1, 27 KOs) made a name for himself globally by winning a unanimous decision against Masanori Rikiishi.
Their bout in Yokohama, Japan, was largely exciting, although Nunez, nicknamed ‘Sugar’, ultimately showed greater determination and took control late in the fight.
Although Nunez, aged 27, earned a decision win which ended his impressive knockout run, he successfully claimed his first significant championship belt as a professional.
Meanwhile, Ford (17-1-1, 8 KOs) has secured two clear decision wins since moving up to the super-featherweight division (130 lbs), positioning himself for another world title opportunity.
The skilled southpaw previously captured the WBA featherweight title last year with a dramatic 12th-round knockout win over Otabek Kholmatov, despite being behind on the scorecards.
However, he later lost that belt in a very close split decision defeat to Nick Ball, prompting his move up in weight to pursue titles at super-featherweight.
Currently, Ford, known as ‘Savage’, holds a high ranking at number five with the IBF, just one position behind the top contender, Sultan Zaurbek.
Instead of waiting for a mandatory challenger bout, Ford aims to speed up his path to a title shot by persuading Nunez to choose him for a voluntary defense.
As both fighters are promoted by Eddie Hearn`s Matchroom Boxing, this potential fight should be relatively easy to arrange for sometime later this year.
In a recent Instagram post, Ford stated: “Good performance [against Rikiishi], champ. Now let’s give the fans the fight they truly want to see. Come and face the best fighter in the division.”
He added, “Let’s skip any easy fights. Let`s make this happen next! Eddie Hearn and Matchroom, let’s get it done.”
