BN Fight Facts: O’Shaquie Foster comes on strong down the stretch to beat Abraham Nova by split decision

THE RESULT: O’Shaquie Foster retains his WBC super-featherweight title with a split decision over Abraham Nova tonight (February 16) at The Theater at Madison Square Garden, New York. Scores delivered at the finish of the bout learn 116-111 and 115-112 to Foster, with one dissenting vote of 114-113 for Nova. Along the manner to securing victory Foster suffered an arm harm and likewise scored a knockdown of Nova in the closing spherical.

KEY MOMENTS: In the twelfth spherical, Nova sloppily staggered ahead with two jabs, each of which missed the goal, and Foster cleverly caught the onrushing challenger with a left hook which dropped him for the first time in the battle. The shot, which can have been essential on the playing cards, landed flushed on Nova’s chin, whereas its impression was doubled due to the reality Nova’s toes have been sq. at the time of it touchdown.

RECORDS: Foster, 30, strikes to 22-2 (12) together with his newest win, whereas Nova, additionally 30, falls to 23-2 (16).

TALKING POINT: For Foster, this victory was all about persistence, which is a by-product, maybe, of his expertise. He anticipated Nova to begin quick, which he did, and he knew he would have to stay calm and poised throughout this era earlier than rising into the battle in its second and third acts. This, to Foster’s credit score, is exactly what occurred, too, together with his efficiency in the closing rounds – together with that final-round knockdown – sufficient to get him over the line and guarantee the WBC super-featherweight belt left New York nonetheless in his possession.

QUOTABLE: “My rhythm was off tonight,” mentioned O’Foster afterwards. “But 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 right. So, he came on strong in the beginning, but I found my rhythm and his timing, and then I started picking it off.”

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT: Later, when requested what he needed to occur subsequent, Foster made some extent of mentioning two names particularly he would love to battle. There was point out first of Lamont Roach, who holds the WBA super-featherweight belt, and there was additionally a sign that Foster would love to battle the winner of the battle between Oscar Valdez and Liam Smith, which takes place on March 29.