PHOENIX – Raymond Ford survived by far his stiffest test to date, even if most observers felt he fell short.

A tightly contested featherweight heat saw Ford fortunate to land a ten-round, split decision win over Edward Vazquez to retain a regional title. Judge Dennis O’Connell scored it 96-94 in favor of Vazquez, overruled by judges Rocky Taylor (98-92) and Chris Wilson (97-93) in favor of Ford in their DAZN-televised undercard bout Saturday evening at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

Vazquez told anyone who would listen that he would give Ford something he’s never before seen in the ring. The Fort Worth native backed up his claim of repeatedly taking the fight to the more polished Ford, a smooth southpaw from Camden who struggled early with Vazquez’s aggression.

The pre-fight trash talk between the unbeaten featherweights spilled over into the ring, with the two having to be separated by referee Wes Melton after the bell to end round two. Vazquez more than made his presence felt by that point, pinning Ford along the ropes and targeting his midsection in between sharpshooting jabs from Ford.

Vazquez turned up the pressure in round three, causing Ford to frequently tie up in efforts to slow down the pace. Ford tried to work his jab in round four, only for Vazquez to work his way down the middle. Ford was finally warned for excessive holding after repeated requests from Vazquez’s corner for the referee to intervene.

Vazquez continued to stalk while Ford looked to create space for his counter left hand while boxing from the outside. Ford had moments of success, only for Vazquez to increase pressure in the final minute of round five.

The second half of the fight opened with Ford enjoying his best round of the fight to that point. Vazquez remained in his face, even landing an overhand right in the closing seconds of round six. Ford landed several combinations by that point, working his jab and keeping Vazquez in his desired punching range.

Vazquez charged forward to begin round seven. Ford adjusted, shooting his southpaw jab while using lateral movement to readjust his offense. Vazquez slipped the tail end of a one-two, getting in an overhand right as Ford Both fighters had their moments in a spirited round eight. Vazquez continued to serve as the aggressor, though Ford was able to plant his feet long enough to crack the unbeaten Texan flush across the jaw late in the round.

Ford was at his most aggressive in round nine, throwing combinations while in the pocket. Vazquez waded through left uppercuts and right hooks to plow ahead with a left hook in the final minute, though outworked by the 22-year-old southpaw for several stretches in the round.

Chants of “Eddie! Eddie!” echoed from the sparse but lively crowd, though Vazquez’s fate was long sealed by that point. To his credit, Ford went about his business like a fighter who needed the final round to remain undefeated.

Ford advances to 11-0-1 (6KOs) with the win, though didn’t gain any fans by the end of the night. The crowd lustily booed the decision as the sense was that it should have landed in favor of Vazquez, who falls to 11-1 (3KOs).

Headlining the show, former titlist Carlos Cuadras (39-4-1, 27KOs) faces late replacement and rising contender Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez (14-0, 10KOs) for the vacant WBC junior bantamweight title.

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox