Raymond Ford vs Orlando Gonzalez Preview November 9th, 2024
Former WBA Featherweight Champion Raymond Ford of Camden, New Jersey is back in the ring this Saturday, November 9th when he takes on Orlando Gonzalez of Puerto Rico. The 10-round junior lightweight fight from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania can be seen live in most nations on DAZN. Ford won his featherweight belt in March with a dramatic last round TKO over Otabek Kholmatov with just seven seconds to go in the fight while trailing on two of the three scorecards 106-103. However, he lost the title in his first defence in June when he dropped a controversial split decision to Nick Ball. Gonzalez last fought in June as well when he stopped Jose Santos Gonzalez after three rounds.
Ford vs Gonzalez Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Orlando Gonzalez +700
- Raymond Ford -1250
My Pick
Ford is a 25-year-old southpaw who owns a fine record of 15-1-1 with 8 Ko’s. He turned pro back in 2019 and has 113 rounds of experience to his name. Ford enjoyed a fine amateur career which saw him win the 2018 U.S. National Golden Gloves Championships and take silver at the 2017 and 2018 National Championships. Since turning pro he’s beaten every opponent other than Ball and Aaron Perez, who went the distance with him in an eight-round draw in 2021.
Ford won the vacant WBA Continental Featherweight Title in 2021 when he stopped Reece Bellotti in the third round and added the vacant IBF North American Featherweight Belt with a 10-round unanimous decision over Richard Medina in June, 2022. He stands 5-feet-7-inches tall with a 69-inch reach and carries decent power in his punches as 53.3 per cent of his wins have come by knockout, but this includes just two of his last five victories. He also has wins over former world champion Jessie Magdaleno and Edward Vazquez.
The 29-year-old Gonzalez is also a southpaw and enters the contest with a mark of 23-2 with 13 Ko’s and has 119 rounds of pro experience to his name since making his debut in 2016. Prior to that he enjoyed a fine amateur career. He measures just over 5-feet-7-inches tall with a 67-inch reach so gives up two inches in reach to Ford. He also has decent power in his fists with 56.5 per cent of his wins coming by stoppage and has gone the distance in eight of his last 11 fights and lost two of them.
Gonzalez’s first defeat came at the hand of Robeisy Ramirez by 10-round unanimous decision in 2021 in a shot at the vacant NABF Junior Featherweight Title and dropped an eight-round unanimous decision to Misael Lopez two fights later in September, 2022. His biggest wins have come against Charlie Serrano, Luis Porozo, Pablo Cruz, William Gonzalez, Rodrigo Guerrero and Jorge Castaneda. This will definitely be Gonzalez’s toughest fight since meeting Ramirez as he’s taking a step up in class once again.
Prediction…
Ford and Gonzalez are both fine young pros with good skills and enough power to do some damage and both boxers appear to possess fine chins. Ford has a slight edge in overall boxing talent though and I think this will be enough to lead him to victory, but it’s not going to be easy.
Ford should prevail due to his boxing skills.
Play: Ford -1250 @ BetOnline.ag
Check out my recent boxing betting picks to see my current form.
Orlando Gonzalez betting • Raymond Ford betting