O’SHAQUIE Foster enters the Prudential Center ring tomorrow night, defending his WBC super-featherweight title in opposition to Robson Conceição. The bout, in opposition to a former Olympic gold medallist, will function the co-feature to Shakur Stevenson’s contest with Artem Harutyunyan.
While the likes of Stevenson (a three-weight world champion no much less) might take these events of their stride, and even barely as a right, for a fighter like Foster, it’s been a very long time coming, working his technique to such a lofty place and now being within the dialogue for quick unification clashes with 130-pound rivals.
“I just need to go in there and be me. That’s the biggest thing. I’m fully healthy. So, everyone is going to see a different fighter than what they saw the last time I came out,” said the 30-year-old Texan.
Foster is getting ready for a stronger show, seemingly nonetheless dissatisfied along with his efficiency in February, when he overcame maiden challenger Abraham Nova (beneath) on factors.
“I couldn’t do what I wanted in that fight against Abraham Nova. I couldn’t move my feet like I wanted. But, no excuses. I’m going to go out and show the world that I’m levels above this guy,” stated, ‘Ice Water’, earlier than discussing subsequent foe Conceição.
“I’ve had a long amateur career, so I’ve seen his style several times. We had great sparring partners that mimicked him. I’ve always been proud of my defense, so we’ll figure it out when we get in there.”
While he always had the talent, Foster wanted to beat private demons and get his life collectively each out and in of the ring. Before O’Shaquie hit the massive time, he boxed big-punching Spaniard Jon Fernandez in Oklahoma in 2018. Foster gained that night time by scores of 98-92 throughout the board. Is Fernandez shocked by what his conqueror has gone on to attain, or did he always see that form of potential effervescent earlier than the floor?
“At the time when I faced O’Shaquie Foster, he wasn’t as well-known as he is now. But as soon as the fight finished, I knew he was a very, very good operator and that he was going to go on and fight for world honours and become world champion,” defined Fernandez, who fights Dalton Smith subsequent for the European title.
“And also O’Shaquie Foster told me himself after the fight as well, that he had problems with his team before then, so that he had a new team and that he was advancing and he was going to start improving his game. And that’s obviously what happened.”
As shortly as Foster has turned his profession round, his opponent tomorrow night, Robson Conceição, simply can’t appear to catch an expert break. World title losses to headliner Stevenson, in addition to a earlier controversy-tinged reverse to Oscar Valdez, stung laborious.
Refusing to grow to be downbeat, boxing Emanuel Navarrete to a draw on the shut of 2023, Robson believes all good issues come to those that wait and O’Shaquie Foster -who needed to stage a late rally to win his WBC world title from Eduardo Hernandez in 2023- will see his personal luck run out this time.
“Things in my career weren’t necessarily easy. As an amateur, I had three opportunities to become a gold medalist. I see a similar path as a professional. And on Saturday, I’m going to be ready,” stated Conceição.
“I don’t look at these challenges as pressure. I look at them as motivation. So, I’m motivated, and I’m looking forward to this fight on Saturday. I’ll be the new world champion. No pressure. Just motivation.”
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