Foster’s strategic punches secure win as Nova aims for rematch or top division contenders
Foster’s strategic punches secure win as Nova aims for rematch or top division contenders
NEW YORK — On Friday night at The Theater at Madison Square Garden, O’Shaquie Foster successfully defended his WBC super-featherweight world title against Abraham Nova via split decision.
Earlier in the fight, the two studied each other with jabs and feints. Foster(22-2, 12KOs) a 30-year old American boxer, took the lead in rounds six and seven, scoring powerful blows on Nova(23-2, 16KOs) who was starting to tire.
Foster started to extend his lead in the ninth round by injuring Nova a 30-year old boxer from Puerto Rico with a string of cutting right hands. In the last round, he finished the fight with a left hook. Foster received scores of 116-111 and 115-112, overturning the ruling of one judge, who had Nova’s score of 113-114.
“I don’t want to make any excuses, but when I went to throw a right hand his elbow hit the middle of my bicep, so it kind of tightened my stuff up. But it’s all good,” said Foster in media reports.
“My rhythm was off tonight. It’s all good. We came home with the win, so I can’t complain. I’m a 12-round fighter and I know how to make judgements through the fight. So, he came on strong in the beginning, but I found my rhythm and his timing, and then I started picking it off,” he added.
With the intention of unifying the super-featherweight division, Foster mentioned of possible opponents for his third championship defense. “Navarrete is busy. I’ll take on Lamont Roach Jr. or the winner of Oscar Valdez vs. Liam Wilson,” said Foster.
Thinking back on his loss While praising his opponent, Nova insisted that he stumbled in the crucial 12th round. “O’Shaquie is a great fighter. He did hit me, but I did slip (in the 12th round),” said Nova in media reports.
“I lost my balance. I wasn’t hurt. The fight would have been a draw if that hadn’t happened. This is boxing. I know they probably think I wasn’t that good. But you guys see I’m a great fighter,” he added.
“Hopefully you guys can see me here again. I’m a world-class contender. O’Shaquie, we can run it back. Let’s do it again. If not, I can fight Navarrete or anybody,” he continued.
