The fight is expected to take place in Houston, Foster’s hometown.

The matchup, a highly intriguing one, brings together two of the best 130-pounders in the world. It also finally cements a collision course that has been nearly a year in the making.

The fighters have traded words on social media and then did so again in person at February’s Emanuel Navarrete-Sugar Nunez fight in Arizona. That fight also featured Matchroom vs. Top Rank (Nunez and Ford are with Eddie Hearn).

Now, they’re set to square off in the ring as Ford attempts to become a two-division titleholder. Ford won a featherweight title in thrilling fashion with a last-second KO of Otabek Kholamtov in The Ring’s 2024 Fight of the Year.

The Camden, N.J., native lost the title in his first defense, a split decision to Nick Ball later that year in another slugfest.

Ford (18-1-1, 8 KOs) will be viewed as an underdog against Foster, who seems to be peaking at 32.

Foster (24-3, 12 KOs) is coming off perhaps his best performance, a wide points victory over Stephen Fulton in December.

Ford, 27, last competed in August, a decision win over Abraham Nova whom Foster also defeated.

Foster is The Ring’s No. 2 boxer at 130 pounds while Ford is sixth.