Robson Conceicao (left) and O’Shaquie Foster stare down the final pre-fight press conference for their Nov. 2 rematch in Verona, New York. Photo credit: Mikey Williams, Top Rank
O’Shaquie Foster stared down and nodded confidently at the man he believed held his rightful property.
The former WBC 130-pound titlist had everything on the line for his anticipated rematch against Brazil’s Robson Conceicao. Foster (22-3, 12 KOs) weighed in at 129.9 pounds in a bid to become a two-time titleholder. Conceicao (19-2-1, 9 KOs) weighed in at 129.7 pounds in his first title defense.
Foster lived up to his ‘Ice Water’ ring name during an intense post weigh-in staredown. The message was sent that he will seek revenge in their ESPN+ main event on Saturday from Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, New York.
Conceicao won their July 6 meeting by highly questionable split decision in Newark, New Jersey.
Most viewers felt Foster did enough to retain his WBC 130-pound title for a second time. Justice Ron McNair (116-112) was the only official who shared that view. His card was overturned by judges Tony Lundy (116-112) and Paul Wallace (115-113). The ruling saw Conceicao – Brazil’s first ever boxer who won Olympic gold in 2016 – claim his first major title.
Ironically, the controversial result ended up favoring Conceicao in his fourth title challenge. He dropped decisions to Oscar Valdez and Shakur Stevenson in separate bouts for the WBC belt. Conceicao also had to settle for a WBO 130-pound title shot by Emanuel Navarrete last November.
Foster won the WBC 130-pound crown in a thrilling 12st round knockout Eduardo ‘Rocky’ Hernandez last October 28. Their memorable clash saw Foster rally to drop twice and then stop Hernandez with just 22 seconds to go.
The title reign was further upheld in a February 16 split decision over Abraham Nova. It’s been a familiar theme in his career for Foster, who didn’t need to appear on only two cards in a fight he clearly won.
Below are the weights for the remaining undercard fights.
Raymond Muratalla (21-0, 16 KOs), Fontana, Calif., 136.6 lbs
Jesus A. Perez (25-5, 18 KOs), Tijuana, Mexico, 136.2 lbs
10 rounds, lightweight
Bryce Mills (16-1, 5 KOs), Syracuse, New York, 139.8 lbs
Mike Ohan Jr. (19-3, 9 KOs), Holbrook, Massachusetts, 140.7 lbs
8 rounds, junior welterweight
Abraham Nova (23-3, 16 KOs), Albany, New York, 131.4 lbs
Humberto Galindo (14-3-2, 11 KOs), Tijuana, 131.3 lbs.
10 rounds, junior lightweight
Jahi Tucker (12-1-1, 5 KOs), Deer Park, New York, 161.8 lbs.
Quilisto Madera (14-5, 9 KOs), Stockton, Calif., 161.8 lbs.
8 rounds, middleweight
Ali Feliz (3-0, 2 KOs), Danbury, Conn., 224.1 lbs
Rashad Cuellar (5-4, 3 KOs), Carrolton, Texas, 252.1 pounds
6 rounds, heavyweight
Yan Santana (12-0, 11 KOs), La Romana, Dominican Republic, 126.8 lbs
Eduardo Baez (23-6-2, Mexicali, Mexico, 125.7 lbs
10 rounds, featherweight
Damian Knyba (13-0, 7 KOs), Wudzyn, Poland, 259.1 pounds
Richard Lartey (16-6, 13 KOs), Accra, Ghana, 288 lbs
8 rounds, heavyweight
