Local featherweight icon Patrick Ford was 24 years old when he tackled Fernando Jimenez of Dominican Republic on February 29, 1980 in Trinidad. Ford had an unblemished record of 13 victories in as many fights with eight stoppages.At the end of the 10-round contest held at the Jean Peirre Sports Complex the judges awarded the fight to Ford. A powerful puncher, Ford had already picked up the Guyana and World Boxing Council (WBC) FECARBOX titles.
Two fights after the clash with Jimenez, Ford added the Commonwealth featherweight title to his collection. This was achieved following an eight-round TKO of Nigerian Eddie Ndukwu in Lagos. Coming from a family of boxers, Ford joined the professional ranks in 1976.
One of his finest hours occurred in September 1978. Filling in as a late replacement, Ford knocked out world rated Diego Alcala of Panama in the ninth round. Alcala came to Guyana having just lost to world super featherweight champion Alexis Arguello.