Western Wayne grad Olivia Ford posts the 20th win of her boxing career

MADISON TWP. — Local boxer Olivia Ford hit a little bit of a rough patch early this year, suffering back-to-back losses on cards in Colorado and Texas.

Not surprisingly though, that downturn didn’t last very long.

A 2025 graduate of Western Wayne High School who now attends Marywood University, Ford traveled to Connecticut this past weekend to compete in the Whale City Invitational tournament.

This year’s edition of the event took place at the New London Community Recreation Center and attracted fighters from all over the country. There, Ford powered her way to an impressive victory over a highly-regarded opponent from Quincy (MA).

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“I did have some nerves going in,” Ford admitted. “But, even though I’ve taken some lumps recently in the Elite Division, I’m resilient. I definitely think I came back stronger and harder.”

Next up for Ford is a trip to King of Prussia where she’ll participate in the Battle at Valley Forge. Action gets underway April 28 and runs through May 1.

Chasing her dreams

Olivia Ford began her boxing career a little over four years ago.

At the age of 14, she teamed up with local trainer Shawn McFadden and quickly become one of the top amateurs on the local fight scene. Since then, Ford has grown by leaps and bounds, traveling widely and training relentlessly in pursuit of her dream — an invitation to the Olympic trials.

Western Wayne graduate Olivia Ford prepares for her latest bout, an international boxing showdown versus an opponent from India. The match took place April 11, 2026 in New London (CT).

“When I first saw Olivia she really didn’t have any idea what she was doing,” said McFadden, who was just recently inducted into the International Masters Boxing Hall of Fame. “But, I knew immediately I wanted to work with her. She has all the intangibles you need to become a champion.”

Over the course of the past four years, Ford has piled up the victories and filled her home gym’s trophy case with gold medals and championship belts.

Ford trains at Cerberus Boxing, located in a quiet corner of Madison Township. Under McFadden’s watchful eye, she maintains a rigorous regimen which includes sparring, running and weight training.

Olivia Ford, representing Cerberus Boxing in Madison Township, defeated Aditi Sharma of Quincy (MA), in a high profile amateur bout at New London (CT) on April 11, 2026.

“Nobody works harder than Olivia,” McFadden said. “She never takes a day off and is always looking forward to the next challenge. Olivia’s dedication to the sport is second to none.”

Ford currently boasts an overall record of 20-6 and is ranked no. 3 in her division. She owns a total of nine national belts and is the reigning champion at several other regional events.

International opponent

When Ford stepped into the ring at the New London Community Recreation Center on April 14, her top priorities were clearing her mind and focusing on the moment.

After all, the past year had featured a great deal of adversity both in and out of the ring. The 18-year-old fighter was coming off two straight losses for the first time in her career while also trying to deal with school and a job.

The referee raises Olivia Ford's hand in victory on April 11, 2026. It marks the 20th win of Ford's young boxing career.

In addition, her coach has spent more time in the hospital than in the gym while battling a rare gastrointestinal illness. His latest surgical procedure lasted nearly eight hours at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia.

“It’s been tough on Olivia,” McFadden said. “We haven’t been able to get into our normal routine and get into the proper mindset before a fight. But nothing stops her. Olivia has the heart of a champion.”

Despite all the distractions, Ford arrived on the scene for the Whale City Invitational in tip-top shape, a gleam in her eye and a chip on her shoulder. Her opponent in this 165-pound bout was Aditi Sharma, who fights out of a gym in Quincy (MA).

The tag-team boxing combo of fighter Olivia Ford (left) and manager Shawn McFadden (right). Ford won the 20th bout of her amateur career on April 11, 2026.

Sharma originally hails from India where she held multiple individual titles at the national level. She was ranked as high as third in her weight bracket before coming to the US in search of quality fights.

In the ring

This one got off to a fast start as Ford immediately went on the offensive. She quickly established her jab, then deployed a new combination she’d been working on.

“She’s a southpaw, so that actually helped me because most of my sparring partners are lefties too,” Ford said. “That made it easier for me to pivot and keep the angle I really wanted to use.”

Ford worked hard to establish control in the first round, then found a rhythm she liked and stayed with it. There were no knock downs or standing eights in this one as Ford was content just to keep piling up the points on the judges’ cards.

“Essentially, we took on more of a counter punching style as the fight went on,” Ford said. “Then I just tried to seize the moments to attack whenever I saw an opening.”

The result was a unanimous decision for Ford and a big sigh of relief for McFadden.

“I am incredibly proud of Olivia,” the veteran coach said. “She let her hands go every time she had a chance on the ropes or in the corner. Olivia outworked her opponent, threw more punches and came out with a really great win.”

This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Western Wayne graduate Olivia Ford wins 20th career boxing match