Aaron Perez provided Raymond Ford the tough test that the ambitious prospect sought Saturday night in Dallas.

The unheralded Perez pressured Ford at times in their eight-round bout and fought the undefeated featherweight to a split draw on the Juan Francisco Estrada-Roman Gonzalez undercard at American Airlines Center. Judge Javier Martinez scored their very competitive fight for Ford, 77-75, but judge Michael Mitchell scored it 78-74 for Perez and judge Don Griffin had it even, 76-76.

The 23-year-old Perez (10-0-1, 6 KOs), of Albuquerque, New Mexico, was the first unbeaten opponent Ford fought since the 2018 national Golden Gloves champion made his pro debut in March 2019.

The previously unbeaten Perez pushed Ford (8-0-1, 4 KOs), of Camden, New Jersey, more than any of his first eight opponents, particularly in the early rounds. Ford weathered Perez’s pressure, took control in the fourth round and boxed beyond the seventh round for the first time as a pro.

Ford and Perez approached the eighth and final round as if the outcome of their fight depended on winning it. Perez provided pressure again in those three minutes and traded with Ford for much of that round.

Ford’s stung Perez with a straight left that backed Perez into the ropes with just under 1:20 to go in the seventh round. By then, a cut opened over Perez’s left eye.

Another straight left by Ford made Perez move away from him with 25 seconds remaining in the seventh round.

Perez landed a left hook about 45 seconds into the sixth round. Another left hook by Perez caught Ford toward the end of the sixth round, as Ford backed into his own corner.

Ford used his jab to keep Perez on his back foot for much of the fifth round. Perez attempted to land hard shots at times in the fifth round, but Ford defended himself well and out-landed Perez.

Ford’s left to the body made Perez back away from him just after the midway mark of the fourth round. With just over 40 seconds to go in the fourth, Ford connected with a left to the side of Perez’s head.

Perez opened a cut above Ford’s right eye early in the third round. A right hand by Perez knocked Ford backward with about 35 seconds remaining in the third round.

Ford landed a straight left in the final minute of the second round as Perez pressed forward. Perez’s right hand snapped back Ford’s head as Ford moved straight backward with 25 seconds to go in that second round.

Perez landed a left and then a right that backed Ford into the ropes with about 40 seconds to go in the opening round. A straight left by Perez connected just before the first round ended.

Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.