REGINALD Ford had 17 victories and no defeat when he met Bob `Boogaloo’ Watts on January 22, 1977.The fight was held at the Civic Auditorium in Pensacola, Florida. A dedicated southpaw, Ford found the going rough against his more seasoned opponent and was knocked down in the eighth round.
Watts went on to win the 10-round affair by a unanimous decision. Two months later the Guyanese middleweight accepted a challenge to fight `Marvellous’ Marvin Hagler and was knocked out in the third round.
Ironically, Watts also fought Hagler and was knocked out in round two. The tenacious Ford never ducked an opponent and in an eventful career, matched gloves with the likes of Mike McCallum and Ayube Kalule, both of whom became world champions.
Ford ended a nine-year career in 1984 when he was two months shy of 31 years. He had lost eight consecutive bouts leading up to his departure from the ring. He left with a record of 27 victories, 15 defeats and one draw.