Former title challenger Abraham Nova is stepping in to fight Raymond Ford on Aug. 16 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, The Ring has learned.

Anthony Cacace withdrew from the 130-pound fight last week with a back injury. Rising heavyweight star Moses Itauma meets Dillian Whyte in the main event.

Nova’s lone title shot came in February 2024 when he dropped a split decision to O’Shaquie Foster. Foster floored him in the final round to pull out the victory. If Nova (24-3-1, 17 KOs) had won Round 12, the fight would have been ruled a draw.

Foster was offered this fight with Ford but declined, sources said. Foster was set to defend his WBC junior lightweight title vs. Stephen Fulton on Aug. 16 in Las Vegas, but the status of that fight is uncertain.

Gervonta Davis was set to meet Lamont Roach in a rematch in the main event on Aug. 16 in Las Vegas, but Davis was arrested last week.

Ford (17-1-1, 8 KOs) is The Ring’s No. 10 boxer at 130 pounds. His last-second KO of Otabek Kholmatov last year to win the WBA featherweight title was named The Ring’s Fight of the Year.

Ford, 26, is from Camden, New Jersey. His tight decision loss to Nick Ball last year was also a memorable bout.

Nova, 31, is a Puerto Rico native. He’s won only one of his last four bouts.