Patrick Ford was a Guyanese and British Commonwealth Featherweight champion who challenged twice for the world featherweight title, and who was credited with paving the way for Guyanese professional boxers that followed. Ford won sixteen consecutive professional bouts at the start of his career in Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, and Nigeria, between 1978 to 1980. One of the opponents he knocked out, unbeaten Cecil Ferandez, died after getting knocked out by Ford in the ring in Georgetown, Guyana

Georgetown, Guyana

Georgetown, estimated population 239,227 , is the capital and largest city of Guyana, located in the Demerara-Mahaica region. It is situated on the Atlantic Ocean coast at the mouth of the Demerara River and it was nicknamed 'Garden City of the Caribbean.' Georgetown is located at . The city serves...

 in 1979.

World Title Challenges

After stopping Eddie Ndukwu in August 1980 to win the Commnwealth (British Empire) featherweight title, on September 13, 1980, Ford lost a majority decision to Salvador Sanchez

Salvador Sánchez

Salvador Sánchez Narváez was a Mexican boxer born in the town of Santiago Tianguistenco, Estado de México. Many of his contemporaries as well as boxing writers believe that, had it not been for his premature death, Sanchez could have gone on to become the greatest Featherweight boxer of all time...

 for the World Boxing Council

World Boxing Council

The World Boxing Council was initially established by 11 countries: the United States, Argentina, United Kingdom, France, Mexico, Philippines, Panama, Chile, Peru, Venezuela and Brazil plus Puerto Rico, met in Mexico City on February 14, 1963, upon invitation of the then President of Mexico, Adolfo...

 featherweight title in San Antonio, Texas

San Antonio, Texas

San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...

. One judge had the bout a draw at 145-145. On February 14, 1981, Ford was knocked out by Eusebio Pedroza at 3:04 of round 13 in a failed attempt to win the World Boxing Association

World Boxing Association

The World Boxing Association is a boxing organization that sanctions official matches, and awards the WBA world championship title at the professional level. It was previously known as the National Boxing Association before changing its name in 1962...

 featherweight title. After losing his next two fights, Ford retired. Ford won three comeback fights in Guyana between 1985 and 1987, finishing his career with a ten round decision over Albert Brown on May 31, 1987.

Later Life as Trainer

Ford was a sergeant in the Guyanese Army, and also a licensed plumber. Ford lived in New York City after retirement, training amateur and professional boxers at famed Gleason's Gym

Gleason's Gym

Gleason's is a boxing gym located on the Brooklyn waterfront. Since 1937, when the gym was founded in the Bronx, boxers with their eyes on Olympic glory or a shot at the title have been training at Gleason's. Fighters who trained at the gym include Jake LaMotta, Roberto Durán, Benny "Kid" Paret,...

 in Brooklyn, New York. he died from complications after a heart attack at Kings County Hospital Center on November 13, 2011.