Ford vs Nova Predictions: Ford needs speed and handling to navigate Nova

Former world champion Raymond Ford stays active against Abraham Nova this Saturday, August 16. The bout takes place at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia as part of the Moses Itauma vs Dillian Whyte show. Nick Ball, who won the WBA featherweight title from Ford, defends it against Sam Goodman on the undercard. DAZN will screen the event live.

Here are my Raymond Ford vs Abraham Nova predictions ahead of this enticing affair.

Raymond Ford vs Abraham Nova Odds

Ford is a big favourite at 1/9 or an implied probability of 90% for all you stats bods. Nova is 13/2, but this is a fighter used to being written off. 16/1 is there if you fancy the draw.

Raymond Ford vs Abraham Nova Fight Preview

For the first time since Ball beat him for the belt, Ford is taking a chance. Since ‘Savage’ was narrowly outpointed by the Brit last year, he has moved up to super featherweight. This is Ford’s third fight at 130lbs, but his first against an opponent with any sort of real profile.

The opposition was intended to be a bigger name. Anthony Cacace, the former IBF champion who never lost his title in the ring, was scheduled before he pulled up injured. But Nova remains a step forward in Ford’s super featherweight journey.

At the age of 26, time is on Ford’s side. His move to super featherweight has been carefully managed. Even here, the first bout since Ball where he has fought a former world title challenger, Ford is still a heavy favourite. It makes sense as a strategy. Remember how David Price did when he went straight back in with the first man to beat him? How Joe Joyce got on? 

Ford has youth in his corner. Nova, at the age of 31, might not be as babyfaced or bouncy but is also far from the scrapheap. The phrase “live underdog” was invented for people like Abraham. Not quite a gatekeeper, his 24-3-1 record was hard-earned in punishing fights.

There are good names on the underdog’s record. Sulaiman Segawa is a challenge for anyone and Nova outboxed him. Jonatan Romero is a former IBF super bantamweight champion who had not lost in a decade. ‘El Super Nova’ got him out of there in three rounds. 

As with many fighters on the cusp of world level; Nova is perhaps better-known for his defeats. Particularly his WBC super featherweight title fight with O’Shaquie Foster. Nova went down in the last round, losing a close split decision. Perhaps blighted by the near-miss, the Puerto Rican then lost via unanimous nod to unbeaten contender Andres Cortes.

A limp draw with unknown Humberto Galindo could have consigned Nova to the scrapheap. A three-round retirement victory over journeyman German Ivan Meraz did little to sway floating voters that Nova still has it. But another payday has arrived, with Ford needing Nova as much as ‘El Super Nova’ needs him.

Nova is a difficult fighter to look good against. Only ex-world champ Robeisy Ramirez has stopped him. Most opponents are given an awkward night’s work against the New York resident. Will Ford struggle at the exact moment he needs to perform impressively?

Raymond Ford vs Abraham Nova Full Card

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Raymond Ford vs Abraham Nova

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Raymond Ford vs Abraham Nova Prediction

Ford’s eight knockouts in 17 wins tell the story. The American is no power-puncher. What he uses is his hand-speed, punch-picking and southpaw unorthodoxy to befuddle opponents with volume. 

‘Savage’ can get drawn into a tear-up. His loss to Ball and last-gasp knockout win over Otabek Kholmatov are the two sides of that coin. Nova is generally a counter-puncher. He lost to Cortes when he opted for a head-on-chest pressure style. I expect the older man to stand off a bit more and try to find openings.

Ford gives you those openings. His defence is not as good as you’d expect considering his stance and style. Opponents have tagged him when the former WBA king has left himself open on the retreat. Those are the sort of openings Nova feasts on.

But I don’t think the 31-year-old will connect enough to take this one. I believe Ford’s volume and aggression will see him home on points at 5/6. It might be a harder fight than Ford’s team expects. Not one that you can sell as a resurrection. But if he is to return to world honours, it might just be the sort of test Raymond needs.

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