Robson Conceição will defend his WBC super featherweight title against former champion O’Shaquie Foster in a 12-round WBC-ordered rematch on November 2nd, live on ESPN+ at the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York. Foster is getting a second chance, which many fans feel he doesn’t deserve.
The former WBC 130-lb champion Foster (22-3, 12 KOs) is getting an immediate rematch due to the cry of his fans over his 12-round split decision defeat to Conceicao on July 6th at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Conceição Hopes Foster Doesn’t Run
“Foster, don’t run in the ring! See you in Verona,” said Conceicao. There was a lot of running from Foster, who looked like he thought he could do the minimum and still hold onto his WBC super featherweight title.
The Brazilian Conceicao felt that Foster was too defensive last July. He did not fight like a guy trying to win. Foster was just trying to steal the rounds against Conceicao, and the judges saw through the ruse.
Foster’s fans made a lot of noise about his upset loss to the underdog Conceicao, and the World Boxing Council responded by ordering the rematch.
116-112, 115-113 for Conceicao, and 116-112 for Foster. I scored Conceicao 9-3 because he wanted it more, outworking the timid Foster.
Undercard Bouts
– Raymond Muratalla vs. Jesus Perez
– Abraham Nova vs. Humberto Galindo
– Bryce Mills vs. Hank Lundy
Conceicao (19-2-1, 9 KOs) outworked the defensive-minded Foster last July to dethrone him, and there was no real controversy in the real sense. There shouldn’t be a rematch other than for business purposes because Conceicao beat Foster in their fight on July 6th.
Foster spent virtually the entire fight with his back against the ropes, looking to make Conceicao miss and occasionally throwing back. The visual image of Foster with his back against the ropes is of a fighter just looking to avoid getting knocked out.
Instead of letting his hands go, Foster spent most of the fight on the run, trying to avoid getting hit by the more ambitious, hard-working Conceicao. It was plain to see that Foster was focused 100% on his defense, and there was no balance on his offensive side.
Fans saw the same thing from the 30-year-old Foster in his controversial 12-round split decision win over Abraham ‘Super’ Nova on February 16th.
Foster was outworked in that fight, too, but he was given a win. It’s not surprising that Conceicao beat Foster with that fighting style, but he’s not consistent and too defensive. Nova was given a raw deal in that fight and deserved the win in the eyes of many fans.
Ultimately, Foster only has himself to blame for the loss to the 2016 Olympic gold medalist Conceicao.
Foster’s Second Chance
“This rematch is about setting things straight. Both want to show who the better man is, making for an exciting, competitive matchup, with the winner positioning himself for a chance at a unification,” said promoter Bob Arum.
There’s nothing to set straight. Conceicao earned the victory last time, and it was a case of him being the better man against a champion who was doomed to lose his WBC title due to his defensive Shakur-esque fighting style.
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