Tag: Abraham Nova

O’Shaquie Foster targeting titleholders, big names at 130 pounds after victory

O’Shaquie Foster said he’s targeting fellow titleholders and the big names at 130 pounds after his victory over Abraham Nova on Friday.

Junior lightweight titleholder O’Shaquie Foster had a difficult time making the 130-pound limit going into his split decision victory over Abraham Nova on Friday in New York, which could mean he’s not long for the division.

However, he said he has some business to take care of first. He wants at least a few more big fights at 130 before he makes the move to 135.

“I’ll eventually be going to 135,” he said after his victory. “But I’m going to try to get a couple more fights at 130. Like I said I’m going to try to hire a nutritionist to do it better next time. It definitely affected my energy in the fight.”

So what potential opponents does he have in mind?

The WBC champion is targeting fellow beltholders Lamont Roach (WBA) and Emanuel Navarrete (WBO), as well as some other big names in the division.

“I’ll take the winner of Liam Wilson [and Oscar Valdez on March 29],” he said, per Fight Hub TV. “Or if we can get Lamont Roach. I know [Emanuel] Navarrete is going to 135 … but if he comes back, I’m willing to do that too.”

Foster (22-2, 12 KOs) could also be required to face relatively unknown WBC mandatory challenger Muhammadkhuja Yaqubov (21-1, 11 KOs) of Tajikistan soon.

Foster defeated Yaqubov by a one-sided decision in March 2022, after which Yaqubov has won three consecutive fights.

“If it’s mandatory and I have to, I’ll take it. It’s cool,” he said. “I beat the guy, Yaqubov. I’d rather fight a Wilson or Oscar Valdez. But if I have to, I’ll satisfy my mandatory.”

One titleholder that doesn’t appear to be in Foster’s plans is Joe Cordina (IBF). Foster expressed interest in facing Cordina but the British fighter said he wants to face an opponent against whom he could make more money.

“Man, they had their chance,” Foster said, referring to Cordina. “I was open for it. If it’s still available, I’m with it, but I ain’t going to be chasing nobody.”

Foster got off to a slow start against Nova (23-2, 16 KOs) in the second defense of the belt he won by outpointing Rey Vargas in February of last year but found his rhythm in the middle rounds and controlled the fight down the stretch.

He put Nova down with a left hook with about 20 seconds remaining in the fight to clinch the victory. Replays seemed to confirm Nova went down from the punch but he said he slipped.

Foster wasn’t buying that version of events.

“Oh man, he’s delusional,” he said. “It was a knockdown for sure. If I did stuff the right way, there would’ve been a lot of knockdowns. I was rushing stuff, I was trying to land too much power. It’s on me.”

Foster will have an opportunity to improve in a high profile fight soon.

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O’Shaquie Foster targeting titleholders, big names at 130 pounds after victory

O’Shaquie Foster said he’s targeting fellow titleholders and the big names at 130 pounds after his victory over Abraham Nova on Friday.

Junior lightweight titleholder O’Shaquie Foster had a difficult time making the 130-pound limit going into his split decision victory over Abraham Nova on Friday in New York, which could mean he’s not long for the division.

However, he said he has some business to take care of first. He wants at least a few more big fights at 130 before he makes the move to 135.

“I’ll eventually be going to 135,” he said after his victory. “But I’m going to try to get a couple more fights at 130. Like I said I’m going to try to hire a nutritionist to do it better next time. It definitely affected my energy in the fight.”

So what potential opponents does he have in mind?

The WBC champion is targeting fellow beltholders Lamont Roach (WBA) and Emanuel Navarrete (WBO), as well as some other big names in the division.

“I’ll take the winner of Liam Wilson [and Oscar Valdez on March 29],” he said, per Fight Hub TV. “Or if we can get Lamont Roach. I know [Emanuel] Navarrete is going to 135 … but if he comes back, I’m willing to do that too.”

Foster (22-2, 12 KOs) could also be required to face relatively unknown WBC mandatory challenger Muhammadkhuja Yaqubov (21-1, 11 KOs) of Tajikistan soon.

Foster defeated Yaqubov by a one-sided decision in March 2022, after which Yaqubov has won three consecutive fights.

“If it’s mandatory and I have to, I’ll take it. It’s cool,” he said. “I beat the guy, Yaqubov. I’d rather fight a Wilson or Oscar Valdez. But if I have to, I’ll satisfy my mandatory.”

One titleholder that doesn’t appear to be in Foster’s plans is Joe Cordina (IBF). Foster expressed interest in facing Cordina but the British fighter said he wants to face an opponent against whom he could make more money.

“Man, they had their chance,” Foster said, referring to Cordina. “I was open for it. If it’s still available, I’m with it, but I ain’t going to be chasing nobody.”

Foster got off to a slow start against Nova (23-2, 16 KOs) in the second defense of the belt he won by outpointing Rey Vargas in February of last year but found his rhythm in the middle rounds and controlled the fight down the stretch.

He put Nova down with a left hook with about 20 seconds remaining in the fight to clinch the victory. Replays seemed to confirm Nova went down from the punch but he said he slipped.

Foster wasn’t buying that version of events.

“Oh man, he’s delusional,” he said. “It was a knockdown for sure. If I did stuff the right way, there would’ve been a lot of knockdowns. I was rushing stuff, I was trying to land too much power. It’s on me.”

Foster will have an opportunity to improve in a high profile fight soon.

[lawrence-related id=40776]

O’Shaquie Foster outboxes, drops Abraham Nova to win split decision

O’Shaquie Foster outboxed and dropped Abraham Nova to win a split decision and retain his title Friday in New York City.

O’Shaquie Foster stayed the course.

The 130-pound titleholder got off to a slow start against challenger Abraham Nova, who outworked him over the first several rounds Friday night at Madison Square Garden Theater in New York.

However, Foster took control by mid-fight, put Nova down in the 12th and final round, and won a split decision, allowing him to retain his belt.

One judge scored it for Nova, 114-113, but the other two had Foster winning, 116-111 and 115-112. Boxing Junkie also had it 116-111 for Foster.

“I’m a 12-round fighter,” Foster said afterward. “And I know how to make adjustments through the fight. He came on strong in the beginning but I found my rhythm and I found his timing and started picking it up. …

“It wasn’t my best performance but I got it done.”

Foster (22-2, 12 KOs) was coming off a dramatic victory in October, when he stopped Eduardo Hernandez with 22 seconds remaining to pull out a fight he was losing on the cards.

He didn’t wait quite as long to rally against Nova, a one-time amateur star who was fighting for a major title for the first time.

Nova (23-2, 16 KOs) took the fight to Foster in the early rounds, throwing punches in bunches and forcing the champion to fight defensively on his back foot.

However, by the middle rounds, when Nova seemed to tire, Foster settled into a rhythm and outboxed the challenger the rest of the way.

Nova continued to throw a lot of shots — he finished with a 701-429 edge in punches thrown overall, according to CompuBox — but Foster was more accurate and landed the cleaner blows. He outlanded Nova 139-122.

Nova rallied in Round 11, when he threw a fight-high 103 punches, but Foster took charge again in the final frame. He punctuated his performance by putting Nova down with a left hook with only 20 seconds remaining in the fight.

Foster clinched the victory with his performance in the 12th. Had Nova remained on his feet and won the round, the fight would’ve ended in a draw.

Foster won his title by easily outpointing Rey Vargas in February of last year. The Texan was making his second defense on Friday.

Nova, a Puerto Rican based in New York, had won two consecutive fights since he was stopped by two-time Olympic champion Robeisy Ramirez in June 2022.

O’Shaquie Foster outboxes, drops Abraham Nova to win split decision

O’Shaquie Foster outboxed and dropped Abraham Nova to win a split decision and retain his title Friday in New York City.

O’Shaquie Foster stayed the course.

The 130-pound titleholder got off to a slow start against challenger Abraham Nova, who outworked him over the first several rounds Friday night at Madison Square Garden Theater in New York.

However, Foster took control by mid-fight, put Nova down in the 12th and final round, and won a split decision, allowing him to retain his belt.

One judge scored it for Nova, 114-113, but the other two had Foster winning, 116-111 and 115-112. Boxing Junkie also had it 116-111 for Foster.

“I’m a 12-round fighter,” Foster said afterward. “And I know how to make adjustments through the fight. He came on strong in the beginning but I found my rhythm and I found his timing and started picking it up. …

“It wasn’t my best performance but I got it done.”

Foster (22-2, 12 KOs) was coming off a dramatic victory in October, when he stopped Eduardo Hernandez with 22 seconds remaining to pull out a fight he was losing on the cards.

He didn’t wait quite as long to rally against Nova, a one-time amateur star who was fighting for a major title for the first time.

Nova (23-2, 16 KOs) took the fight to Foster in the early rounds, throwing punches in bunches and forcing the champion to fight defensively on his back foot.

However, by the middle rounds, when Nova seemed to tire, Foster settled into a rhythm and outboxed the challenger the rest of the way.

Nova continued to throw a lot of shots — he finished with a 701-429 edge in punches thrown overall, according to CompuBox — but Foster was more accurate and landed the cleaner blows. He outlanded Nova 139-122.

Nova rallied in Round 11, when he threw a fight-high 103 punches, but Foster took charge again in the final frame. He punctuated his performance by putting Nova down with a left hook with only 20 seconds remaining in the fight.

Foster clinched the victory with his performance in the 12th. Had Nova remained on his feet and won the round, the fight would’ve ended in a draw.

Foster won his title by easily outpointing Rey Vargas in February of last year. The Texan was making his second defense on Friday.

Nova, a Puerto Rican based in New York, had won two consecutive fights since he was stopped by two-time Olympic champion Robeisy Ramirez in June 2022.

Video and photos: O’Shaquie Foster vs. Abraham Nova weigh-in

Video and photos: O’Shaquie Foster vs. Abraham Nova weigh-in.

Junior lightweight titleholder O’Shaquie Foster and challenger Abraham Nova on Thursday made weight for their fight Friday night at Madison Square Garden Theater in New York City (ESPN, ESPN+).

Foster (21-2, 12 KOs) came in at the division limit of 130.0 pounds; Nova (23-1, 16 KOs) weighed 129.0.

You can watch a video of the weigh-in above. Photos from the event, taken by Mikey Williams of Top Rank (via Getty Images), are below.

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O’Shaquie Foster vs. Abraham Nova: Date, time, how to watch, background

O’Shaquie Foster vs. Abraham Nova: Date, time, how to watch, background.

O’Shaquie Foster will defend his 130-pound belt against Abraham Nova on Friday at Madison Square Garden in New York.

O’SHAQUIE FOSTER (21-2, 12 KOs)
VS. ABRAHAM NOVA (23-1, 16 KOs)

  • Date: Friday, Feb. 16
  • Time: 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Madison Square Garden Theater, New York City
  • TV/Stream: ESPN, ESPN+
  • Division: Junior lightweight (130 pounds)
  • At stake: Foster’s WBC title
  • Pound-for-pound: None
  • Odds: Foster 8-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Significance (up to five stars): ***
  • Also on the card: Andres Cortes vs. Bryan Chevalier, junior lightweights; Bruce Carrington vs. Bernard Torres, featherweights
  • Background: Foster will be making the second defense of the title he won as a result of his break-through unanimous decision victory over Rey Vargas in February of last year. He barely held onto his belt in his first defense. The 30-year-old Texan, showing his gritty side, was behind on two of the three official cards when he stopped Eduardo Hernandez in the 12th and final round of a wild fight in Hernandez’s home country of Mexico. Nova will be fighting for a major title for the first time. The 30-year-old Puerto Rican boxer-puncher, who lives in Albany, New York, has won two consecutive fights since he was stopped by two-time Olympic gold medalist Robeisy Ramirez in the fifth round in 2022. He defeated capable Adam Lopez by a unanimous decision in January of last year and stopped less-accomplished Jonathan Romero in three rounds in July. Nova is ranked No. 12 by the WBC.

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O’Shaquie Foster vs. Abraham Nova: Date, time, how to watch, background

O’Shaquie Foster vs. Abraham Nova: Date, time, how to watch, background.

O’Shaquie Foster will defend his 130-pound belt against Abraham Nova on Friday at Madison Square Garden in New York.

O’SHAQUIE FOSTER (21-2, 12 KOs)
VS. ABRAHAM NOVA (23-1, 16 KOs)

  • Date: Friday, Feb. 16
  • Time: 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Madison Square Garden Theater, New York City
  • TV/Stream: ESPN, ESPN+
  • Division: Junior lightweight (130 pounds)
  • At stake: Foster’s WBC title
  • Pound-for-pound: None
  • Odds: Foster 8-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Significance (up to five stars): ***
  • Also on the card: Andres Cortes vs. Bryan Chevalier, junior lightweights; Bruce Carrington vs. Bernard Torres, featherweights
  • Background: Foster will be making the second defense of the title he won as a result of his break-through unanimous decision victory over Rey Vargas in February of last year. He barely held onto his belt in his first defense. The 30-year-old Texan, showing his gritty side, was behind on two of the three official cards when he stopped Eduardo Hernandez in the 12th and final round of a wild fight in Hernandez’s home country of Mexico. Nova will be fighting for a major title for the first time. The 30-year-old Puerto Rican boxer-puncher, who lives in Albany, New York, has won two consecutive fights since he was stopped by two-time Olympic gold medalist Robeisy Ramirez in the fifth round in 2022. He defeated capable Adam Lopez by a unanimous decision in January of last year and stopped less-accomplished Jonathan Romero in three rounds in July. Nova is ranked No. 12 by the WBC.

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O’Shaquie Foster: ‘I’ve matured now, mentally and physically’

O’Shaquie Foster going into his 130-pound title defense against Abraham Nova on Friday: “I’ve matured now, mentally and physically.”

Which O’Shaquie Foster are we going to see against Abraham Nova on Friday in New York City?

Foster gave a virtuoso performance when he easily outpointed previously unbeaten Rey Vargas to win a 130-pound title in February of last year. Then, in his first defense in October, he had to dig deep to stop Eduardo Hernandez in the final round of a fight he was losing.

We’ll see what we get. However, Foster (21-2, 12 KOs) insists that each fight – the easy ones, the hard ones – have made him a better fighter.

“The journey has been everything,” he said. “The ups and downs. Growing as a person. I’ve matured now, mentally and physically. Words can’t explain how I feel, but I’m ready.”

Foster turned in the performance of his career against Vargas, using his superior skills to win a one-sided decision and finally become a world champion after more than a decade as a professional.

Then came near disaster.

Foster got off to a solid start against Hernandez but the capable, busy Mexican outworked him the rest of the way, leaving the 30-year-old Texan behind on two of the three official cards as the fighters entered the championship rounds.

Two judges had Hernandez leading (80-72 and 79-73) and the third had it even (76-76) after eight rounds, essentially meaning the champion needed a knockout to hold onto his newly acquired belt.

And, indeed, a fighter known best for his technical ability showed his gritty side to deliver one. He hurt Hernandez in Round 11 and then finished the job in Round 12, during which he put the challenger down and later pounded him against the ropes until the fight was stopped.

Only 22 seconds remained.

“It was crazy [against Hernandez],” said Foster, who has now won 11 consecutive fights. “We shocked the world. And I’m here to do it again. Everybody calls me Shock, and we’re going to keep doing it.”

Nova, a one-time amateur star, has been on Foster’s radar for some time.

The 30-year-old native of Puerto Rico bounced back from a fifth-round knockout loss to two-time Olympic champion Robeisy Ramirez in 2022 – his only setback — by defeating Adam Lopez (UD) and Jonathan Romero (KO 3).

Nova (23-1, 16 KOs) will be fighting for a major title for the first time.

“We’ve been calling out Nova for years,” Foster said. “He knows it. His excuse was that my name wasn’t big enough. Funny how the tables turn. I’m ready, and I’m familiar with his style.” “I did everything in the gym. We are prepared. Come Friday night, we will dominate and put on a show.”

[lawrence-related id=40734,35959,35624,35589,35582]

O’Shaquie Foster: ‘I’ve matured now, mentally and physically’

O’Shaquie Foster going into his 130-pound title defense against Abraham Nova on Friday: “I’ve matured now, mentally and physically.”

Which O’Shaquie Foster are we going to see against Abraham Nova on Friday in New York City?

Foster gave a virtuoso performance when he easily outpointed previously unbeaten Rey Vargas to win a 130-pound title in February of last year. Then, in his first defense in October, he had to dig deep to stop Eduardo Hernandez in the final round of a fight he was losing.

We’ll see what we get. However, Foster (21-2, 12 KOs) insists that each fight – the easy ones, the hard ones – have made him a better fighter.

“The journey has been everything,” he said. “The ups and downs. Growing as a person. I’ve matured now, mentally and physically. Words can’t explain how I feel, but I’m ready.”

Foster turned in the performance of his career against Vargas, using his superior skills to win a one-sided decision and finally become a world champion after more than a decade as a professional.

Then came near disaster.

Foster got off to a solid start against Hernandez but the capable, busy Mexican outworked him the rest of the way, leaving the 30-year-old Texan behind on two of the three official cards as the fighters entered the championship rounds.

Two judges had Hernandez leading (80-72 and 79-73) and the third had it even (76-76) after eight rounds, essentially meaning the champion needed a knockout to hold onto his newly acquired belt.

And, indeed, a fighter known best for his technical ability showed his gritty side to deliver one. He hurt Hernandez in Round 11 and then finished the job in Round 12, during which he put the challenger down and later pounded him against the ropes until the fight was stopped.

Only 22 seconds remained.

“It was crazy [against Hernandez],” said Foster, who has now won 11 consecutive fights. “We shocked the world. And I’m here to do it again. Everybody calls me Shock, and we’re going to keep doing it.”

Nova, a one-time amateur star, has been on Foster’s radar for some time.

The 30-year-old native of Puerto Rico bounced back from a fifth-round knockout loss to two-time Olympic champion Robeisy Ramirez in 2022 – his only setback — by defeating Adam Lopez (UD) and Jonathan Romero (KO 3).

Nova (23-1, 16 KOs) will be fighting for a major title for the first time.

“We’ve been calling out Nova for years,” Foster said. “He knows it. His excuse was that my name wasn’t big enough. Funny how the tables turn. I’m ready, and I’m familiar with his style.” “I did everything in the gym. We are prepared. Come Friday night, we will dominate and put on a show.”

[lawrence-related id=40734,35959,35624,35589,35582]

Fight Week: O’Shaquie Foster to face Abraham Nova; Adrian Curiel vs. Sivenathi Nontshinga II

Fight Week: O’Shaquie Foster will face Abraham Nova on Friday. On the same day, Adrian Curiel and Sivenathi Nontshinga will face off again.

FIGHT WEEK

O’Shaquie Foster will defend his 130-pound belt against Abraham Nova on Friday. On the same day, 108-pound champ Adrian Curiel will try to prove that his one-punch KO of Sivenathi Nontshinga last year was no fluke when they meet in a rematch.

O’SHAQUIE FOSTER (21-2, 12 KOs)
VS. ABRAHAM NOVA (23-1, 16 KOs)

  • Date: Friday, Feb. 16
  • Time: 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Madison Square Garden Theater, New York
  • TV/Stream: ESPN, ESPN+
  • Division: Junior lightweight (130 pounds)
  • At stake: Foster’s WBC title
  • Pound-for-pound: None
  • Odds: Foster 8-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Significance (up to five stars): ***
  • Also on the card: Andres Cortes vs. Bryan Chevalier, junior lightweights; Bruce Carrington vs. Bernard Torres, featherweights
  • Background: Foster will be making the second defense of the title he won as a result of his break-through unanimous decision victory over Rey Vargas in February of last year. He barely held onto his belt in his first defense. The 30-year-old Texan, showing his gritty side, was behind on two of the three official cards when he stopped Eduardo Hernandez in the final round of a wild fight in Hernandez’s home country of Mexico. Nova will be fighting for a major title for the first time. The 30-year-old Puerto Rican boxer-puncher, who lives in Albany, New York, has won two consecutive fights since he was stopped by two-time Olympic gold medalist Robeisy Ramirez in the fifth round in 2022. He defeated capable Adam Lopez by a unanimous decision in January of last year and stopped less-accomplished Jonathan Romero in three rounds in July. Nova is ranked No. 12 by the WBC.

 

ADRIAN CURIEL (24-4-1, 5 KOs)
VS. SIVENATHI NONTSHINGA (12-1, 9 KOs)

  • Date: Friday, Feb. 16
  • Time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Guelaguetza Auditorium, Oaxaca, Mexico
  • TV/Stream: DAZN
  • Division: Junior flyweight (108 pounds)
  • At stake: Curiel’s IBF title
  • Pound-for-pound: None
  • Odds: Curiel 1½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Significance (up to five stars): ***
  • Also on the card: Mauricio Lara vs. Daniel Lugo, featherweights
  • Background: Curiel and Nontshinga will be fighting for the second time in three-plus months. Curiel, a 25-year-old from Mexico City, stunned Nontshinga and the boxing world when he stopped the favored South African with a single overhand right in the second round to win his first world title on Nov. 4 in Monte Carlo. Curiel was a question mark going into that fight. He had never faced an elite opponent or fought outside of Mexico, although he is now undefeated since 2021. He’s 8-0-1 in his last nine fights. And, curiously, Curiel showed no signs of having one-punch knockout power: He had only four stoppages going into that fight. Nontshinga, 25, made a big splash when he defeated Hector Flores by a split decision in a brutal fight to win the IBF belt in Flores’ native Mexico. He had a successful homecoming in July, easily outpointing previously unbeaten Regie Suganob in East London. And then came the disaster in Europe.

 

ALSO FIGHTING THIS WEEK

THURSDAY

  • Joseph Diaz Jr. vs. Jesus Perez, junior welterweights, Commerce, California (DAZN)

FRIDAY

  • Israel Rodriguez Picazo vs. Ramon Cardenas, junior featherweights, Plant City, Florida (ProBox TV)