TWENTY-ONE-year-old Patrick Ford defeated Roy Smith for the second time on March 17, 1977. Ford won the six-round fight via point decision. The two Guyanese met for the first time in April 1976 when the featherweight Ford was making his debut.Smith lost that four-round fight by decision. Ford turned out to be a fearless warrior whose exploits in the ring allowed for the Golden Arrowhead to be waved proudly. During a professional career that lasted 11 years he earned the distinction of being the first Guyanese to fight for a world title.
Coming from a family of elite boxers Ford proved that he had power in both hands. The lanky boxer hinted that he was ready for the world stage when he railroaded Panamanian Diego Alcala in September 1978. A world-rated fighter at that time, Alcala was knocked out in the ninth round.
In December 1979 Ford knocked out Cecil Hernandez in the 10th round. Hernandez would later die of injuries sustained in the fight that was held in Guyana.
Ford had been crowned World Boxing Association FECARBOX champion in his previous fight. He later became the first Guyanese to challenge for a world title but lost a controversial 15-round decision to WBC Salvador Sanchez in September 1980.
Ford died in the USA on November 13, 2011 at age 55.