Foster scrapes past Conceicao in surprisingly watchable rematch

Raymond Muratalla picked up a quick knockout in the co-feature

O’Shaquie Foster and Robson Conceicao once again failed to produce a definitive outcome, but proved they could put on a decent scrap after twelve back-and-forth rounds saw Foster edge out a split decision to reclaim the WBC super featherweight belt.

Conceicao (19-3-1, 9 KO), who landed a paltry 11% of his power punches the first time, came out active and animated while Foster (23-3, 12 KO) stayed compact and tried to pick his spots. Though neither sported a significant edge in landed shots over the first few rounds and seemed evenly matched in the jab battle, Conceicao’s dramatic swings and movements made his work the more eye-catching of the two.

Seemingly in a hole at the halfway mark, Foster finally shifted out of first gear and looked to walk Conceicao down. Both invested heavily in the body, but it was Conceicao who wilted first; as Foster found the mark with more and more quality blows, Conceicao relied more and more on clinching to recuperate between explosions.

Conceicao turned in a strong effort in the last two rounds, but it wasn’t enough to salvage things; the judges gave Foster a pair of 115-113s to offset the 115-113 going the other way. Bad Left Hook had it 115-113 for Conceicao, but that’s with the bulk of the swing rounds, so no arguments here.

Foster called out the winner of Emanuel Navarrete vs Oscar Valdez 2, vowing to be in Glendale next month. That figures to be a solid fight either way, though Foster can’t afford yet another slow start against either of them. Conceicao took the loss well, claiming he was proud of his work and declining to cast aspersions on Foster or the decision. He did, however, say he wanted a rematch to finish off the trilogy.

Highlights

Other Results

• Raymond Muratalla TKO-2 Jesus Perez (1:24)

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