Raymond “Savage” Ford has a new dance partner for August 16. With Anthony Cacace sidelined by a training-camp back injury, Abraham “Super” Nova steps in on a month’s notice to face Ford in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Their junior-lightweight clash lands on a card already topped by heavyweight prospect Moses Itauma vs. Dillian Whyte, with Nick Ball–Sam Goodman and Filip Hrgovic–David Adeleye rounding out a stacked lineup.
Ford is rebuilding at 130 lbs after losing his WBA featherweight belt to Ball last year. Since moving up, the Camden southpaw has posted decision wins over Orlando Gonzalez and Thomas Mattice, eager to prove he still belongs among the elites.
Nova brings power, activity and urgency. The New Englander was stopped by Robeisy Ramirez in 2022 and dropped tight decisions to O’Shaquie Foster and Andres Cortes in 2024, but he’s stayed sharp - most recently stopping German Meraz in June and logging 13 one-round outings in Team Combat League.
An offer to slot Foster in against Ford fell through, with the WBC titleholder still targeting Stephen Fulton on a separate show. That opened the door for Nova, whose willingness to seize late opportunities now gives Ford the live opponent he needed.
Read more about Itauma vs. Whyte event.
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