Pat Ford: A Boxing Legacy Remembered
Patrick “Pat” Forde was a Guyanese featherweight whose early victories made him a major figure in the country’s boxing history. In 1980 he became the first Guyanese boxer to challenge for a world title, facing reigning WBC champion Salvador Sánchez, as reported by the Guyana Chronicle.
A breakthrough for Guyanese boxing
Forde won the Commonwealth featherweight title in August 1980 by stopping Nigeria’s Eddie Ndukwu, according to Stabroek News. A month later, he went 15 rounds with Sánchez in San Antonio and lost a majority decision; the BoxerList bout record lists the fight. In February 1981, Forde challenged WBA champion Eusebio Pedroza and was stopped in the 13th round, also recorded by BoxerList.
Remembered at home
Forde’s two world-title challenges and Commonwealth championship remain milestones in Guyanese boxing. His career, from the local circuit to title fights against Sánchez and Pedroza, is documented by the Guyana Chronicle and Stabroek News.
Career Milestones
Ford’s challenge to Salvador Sánchez brought him into a world featherweight title contest, while his later meeting with Eusebio Pedroza was another opportunity against a reigning champion. The two bouts involved different titleholders rather than successive defenses by Ford. His standing in Guyanese boxing rests on reaching those opportunities and on his regional achievements. Describing the championship challenges separately also avoids turning a close or competitive performance into an official victory: the published result remains the measure of who retained the belt.
Selected Recorded Results
- 1987-05-31: Pat Ford won against Albert Browne in Georgetown.
- 1986-03-09: Pat Ford won against Dennis Dalrymple in Georgetown.
- 1985-04-08: Pat Ford won against Alejandro Garcia in Georgetown.
- 1982-05-30: Pat Ford lost to Isidro Perez in The Aladdin, Las Vegas.
- 1982-04-17: Pat Ford lost to David Brown in Harrah's Marina Hotel Casino, Atlantic City.
- 1981-02-14: Pat Ford lost to Eusebio Pedroza in Gimnasio Nuevo Panama, Panama City.
- 1980-09-13: Pat Ford lost to Salvador Sanchez in Freeman Coliseum, San Antonio.
Sources
Guyana Chronicle; Stabroek News; Biographical source; Recorded professional bout history.
Article Tags
Pat Ford, Boxing, Sports History
