Tag: O’Shaquie Foster

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) 

Joe Cordina gets past Edward Vazquez to retain 130-pound title

Joe Cordina defeated Edward Vazquez by a majority decision to retain his 130-pound title on Saturday in Monte Carlo.

Joe Cordina didn’t sparkle but he was good enough.

The unbeaten 130-pound titleholder from Wales defeated Edward Vazquez by a majority decision to retain his belt on Saturday night in Monte Carlo. The official scores were 116-112, 116-112 and 114-114.

Cordina (17-0, 9 KOs) looked good at times, fighting behind his jab, but he could never separate himself from the capable Vazquez (15-2, 3 KOs) in a close fight.

The beltholder outlanded the challenger only 170 to 164 overall, according to CompuBox.

“He’s tricky and he’s clever,” Cordina said afterward, per ESPN. “I had to track him down and work him out. Going into the 10th, my trainer told me it was level. I didn’t box to my best, but I still think I did enough to win. There are no marks on my face, but there are marks on his.

“I didn’t perform to my best, and he couldn’t beat me on my worst night, and he’s a sore loser.”

An angry Vazquez was convinced he deserved the victory.

“I will be back,” he said. “Everyone watching around the world knows I won. [Matchroom promoter] Eddie Hearn knows I won. He wasn’t able to do what he wanted to, he had no power, he couldn’t land his right hand or left hook, and all the others at 130 pounds will walk through him.”

Two potential opponents for Cordina are fellow titleholders Emanuel Navarrete and O’Shaquie Foster, as well as 126-pound champ Leigh Wood of England.

Cordina was making his first defense in his second reign as IBF titleholder. The 2016 Olympian won the belt by stopping Kenichi Ogawa in the second round in June of last year, his first major belt.

He was then stripped after a hand injury forced him to pull out of a defense against Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov that was scheduled for last November, after which Rakhimov stopped Zelfa Barrett to win the title. And, finally, Cordina defeated Rakhimov by a split decision to regain the belt on April 22.

Joe Cordina gets past Edward Vazquez to retain 130-pound title

Joe Cordina defeated Edward Vazquez by a majority decision to retain his 130-pound title on Saturday in Monte Carlo.

Joe Cordina didn’t sparkle but he was good enough.

The unbeaten 130-pound titleholder from Wales defeated Edward Vazquez by a majority decision to retain his belt on Saturday night in Monte Carlo. The official scores were 116-112, 116-112 and 114-114.

Cordina (17-0, 9 KOs) looked good at times, fighting behind his jab, but he could never separate himself from the capable Vazquez (15-2, 3 KOs) in a close fight.

The beltholder outlanded the challenger only 170 to 164 overall, according to CompuBox.

“He’s tricky and he’s clever,” Cordina said afterward, per ESPN. “I had to track him down and work him out. Going into the 10th, my trainer told me it was level. I didn’t box to my best, but I still think I did enough to win. There are no marks on my face, but there are marks on his.

“I didn’t perform to my best, and he couldn’t beat me on my worst night, and he’s a sore loser.”

An angry Vazquez was convinced he deserved the victory.

“I will be back,” he said. “Everyone watching around the world knows I won. [Matchroom promoter] Eddie Hearn knows I won. He wasn’t able to do what he wanted to, he had no power, he couldn’t land his right hand or left hook, and all the others at 130 pounds will walk through him.”

Two potential opponents for Cordina are fellow titleholders Emanuel Navarrete and O’Shaquie Foster, as well as 126-pound champ Leigh Wood of England.

Cordina was making his first defense in his second reign as IBF titleholder. The 2016 Olympian won the belt by stopping Kenichi Ogawa in the second round in June of last year, his first major belt.

He was then stripped after a hand injury forced him to pull out of a defense against Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov that was scheduled for last November, after which Rakhimov stopped Zelfa Barrett to win the title. And, finally, Cordina defeated Rakhimov by a split decision to regain the belt on April 22.

Fight Week: Tyson Fury scheduled to ‘fight’ Francis Ngannou

Fight Week: Tyson Fury is scheduled to “fight” Francis Ngannou on Saturday in Saudi Arabia.

FIGHT WEEK

Heavyweight champion Tyson Fury is scheduled to face MMA star and boxing newbie Francis Ngannou on Saturday in Saudi Arabia. Also, Amanda Serrano will take part in a fight with three-minute rounds.

AMANDA SERRANO (45-2-1, 30 KOs)
VS. DANILA RAMOS (12-2, 1 KOs)

  • Date: Friday, Oct. 27
  • Time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Caribe Royale Orlando, Orlando, Florida
  • TV/Stream: DAZN
  • Division: Featherweight (126 pounds)
  • At stake: Serrano’s IBF, WBA and WBO titles
  • Odds: Serrano 11-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Damian Lescaille vs. Ray Barlow, welterweights; Antonio Vargas vs. Hernan Marquez, bantamweights
  • Prediction: Serrano UD
  • Background: Serrano’s fight with Ramos fight will be contested under men’s rules, 12 three-minute rounds. The longtime 126-pound queen will be making her third defense this year and fourth in 13 months. She last fought in August, when she nearly shutout Heather Hardy in their rematch in Dallas. The 35-year-old Puerto Rican has won three consecutive fights since losing a decision to 135-pound champ Katie Taylor in April of last year. Serrano has held major titles in a record seven divisions if you don’t count Manny Pacquiao’s Ring Magazine titles. Ramos, a 38-year-old Brazilian, is coming off a break-through split decision victory over Brenda Karen Carbajal in August, which earned her a shot at Serrano.

 

JONATHAN GONZALEZ (27-3-1, 14 KOs)
VS. GERARDO ZAPATA (14-1-1, 5 KOs)

  • Date: Friday, Oct. 27
  • Time: 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Polideportivo Alexis Arguello, Managua, Nicaragua
  • TV/Stream: ESPN+
  • Division: Junior flyweight (108 pounds)
  • At stake: Gonzalez’ WBO title
  • Odds: NA
  • Pound-for-pound: None
  • Also on the card: Rene Santiago vs. Kevin Vivas, junior flyweights
  • Prediction: Gonzalez UD
  • Background: Gonzalez will be making the third defense of the 108-pound title he won by outpointing Elwin Soto in October 2021. The 32-year-old Puerto Rican subsequently decisioned Mark Anthony Barriga in Florida and Shokichi Iwata in Japan. The latter fight took place in November, almost a year ago. Gonzalez has won five consecutive fights since he was stopped by then 112-pound titleholder Kosei Tanaka in seven rounds in 2019. Zapata is a 29-year-old who will be fighting for a major title for the first time. And he’ll be doing it in his home country. He failed to win his last two fights, a disqualification loss against Rene Santiago last December and a split draw against Azael Villar in August. Gonzalez had been scheduled to face Leyman Benavidez but Benavidez pulled out because of illness a month ago. Zapata, scheduled to fight on the undercard, happily stepped in.

 

TYSON FURY (30-0-1, 24 KOs)
VS. FRANCIS NGANNOU (0-0, 0 KOs)

  • Date: Saturday, Oct. 28
  • Time: 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  • TV/Stream: Pay-per-view
  • Division: Heavyweight (no limit)
  • At stake: No major title
  • Odds: Catterall 10-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Pound-for-pound: Fury No. 5
  • Also on the card: Fabio Wardley vs. David Adeleye, heavyweights; Joseph Parker vs. Simon Kean, heavyweights; Carlos Takam vs Martin Bakole, heavyweights; Arslanbek Makhmudov vs. Junior Anthony Wright, heavyweights
  • Prediction: Fury KO 6
  • Background: Fury is already committed to face fellow titleholder Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight championship this winter but must deal with Ngannou first. The MMA star is making his boxing debut against the most accomplished heavyweight in the world, meaning this matchup is nothing more than a glorified sparring session for Fury that will earn both men a lot of money. Fury last fought in December, when he stopped Derek Chisora in 10 rounds. The 35-year-old from Manchester, England, will have been out of the ring for almost 11 months. Ngannou last fought in UFC 270 in January of last year, 21 months ago. The 37-year-old native of Cameroon outpointed Ciryl Gane in that bout.

 

O’SHAQUIE FOSTER (20-2, 11 KOs)
VS. EDUARDO HERNANDEZ (34-1, 31 KOs)

  • Date: Saturday, Oct. 28
  • Time: 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Poliforum Benito Juarez, Cancun, Mexico
  • TV/Stream: DAZN
  • Division: Junior lightweight (130 pounds)
  • At stake: Foster’s WBC title
  • Odds: Foster 2-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Pound-for-pound: None
  • Also on the card: Justis Huni vs. Andrew Tabiti, heavyweights; Eduardo Nunez vs. Oscar Escandon, junior lightweights; Cristopher Lopez Rodriguez vs. Aaron Alameda, junior featherweights
  • Prediction: Foster UD
  • Background: Foster is coming off a sensational unanimous decision victory over Rey Vargas to win his first major belt this past February. The 30-year-old from Houston, a one-time amateur star, has won 10 consecutive fights since he lost for the second time in 2016. Hernandez is a 25-year-old banger from Mexico. He has a knockout percentage of 91, with 31 KOs in 35 fights. No one has gone the distance with him since 2014, although he was stopped in one round by Roger Gutierrez in 2019. He has won six fights since the setback. The native of Mexico City will have the advantage of fighting in front of his home country fans.

 

ALSO FIGHTING THIS WEEK

THURSDAY

  • Jordan Panthen vs. Alejandro Ibarra, junior middleweights, Costa Mesa, California (FITE)

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Fight Week: Tyson Fury scheduled to ‘fight’ Francis Ngannou

Fight Week: Tyson Fury is scheduled to “fight” Francis Ngannou on Saturday in Saudi Arabia.

FIGHT WEEK

Heavyweight champion Tyson Fury is scheduled to face MMA star and boxing newbie Francis Ngannou on Saturday in Saudi Arabia. Also, Amanda Serrano will take part in a fight with three-minute rounds.

AMANDA SERRANO (45-2-1, 30 KOs)
VS. DANILA RAMOS (12-2, 1 KOs)

  • Date: Friday, Oct. 27
  • Time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Caribe Royale Orlando, Orlando, Florida
  • TV/Stream: DAZN
  • Division: Featherweight (126 pounds)
  • At stake: Serrano’s IBF, WBA and WBO titles
  • Odds: Serrano 11-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Damian Lescaille vs. Ray Barlow, welterweights; Antonio Vargas vs. Hernan Marquez, bantamweights
  • Prediction: Serrano UD
  • Background: Serrano’s fight with Ramos fight will be contested under men’s rules, 12 three-minute rounds. The longtime 126-pound queen will be making her third defense this year and fourth in 13 months. She last fought in August, when she nearly shutout Heather Hardy in their rematch in Dallas. The 35-year-old Puerto Rican has won three consecutive fights since losing a decision to 135-pound champ Katie Taylor in April of last year. Serrano has held major titles in a record seven divisions if you don’t count Manny Pacquiao’s Ring Magazine titles. Ramos, a 38-year-old Brazilian, is coming off a break-through split decision victory over Brenda Karen Carbajal in August, which earned her a shot at Serrano.

 

JONATHAN GONZALEZ (27-3-1, 14 KOs)
VS. GERARDO ZAPATA (14-1-1, 5 KOs)

  • Date: Friday, Oct. 27
  • Time: 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Polideportivo Alexis Arguello, Managua, Nicaragua
  • TV/Stream: ESPN+
  • Division: Junior flyweight (108 pounds)
  • At stake: Gonzalez’ WBO title
  • Odds: NA
  • Pound-for-pound: None
  • Also on the card: Rene Santiago vs. Kevin Vivas, junior flyweights
  • Prediction: Gonzalez UD
  • Background: Gonzalez will be making the third defense of the 108-pound title he won by outpointing Elwin Soto in October 2021. The 32-year-old Puerto Rican subsequently decisioned Mark Anthony Barriga in Florida and Shokichi Iwata in Japan. The latter fight took place in November, almost a year ago. Gonzalez has won five consecutive fights since he was stopped by then 112-pound titleholder Kosei Tanaka in seven rounds in 2019. Zapata is a 29-year-old who will be fighting for a major title for the first time. And he’ll be doing it in his home country. He failed to win his last two fights, a disqualification loss against Rene Santiago last December and a split draw against Azael Villar in August. Gonzalez had been scheduled to face Leyman Benavidez but Benavidez pulled out because of illness a month ago. Zapata, scheduled to fight on the undercard, happily stepped in.

 

TYSON FURY (30-0-1, 24 KOs)
VS. FRANCIS NGANNOU (0-0, 0 KOs)

  • Date: Saturday, Oct. 28
  • Time: 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  • TV/Stream: Pay-per-view
  • Division: Heavyweight (no limit)
  • At stake: No major title
  • Odds: Catterall 10-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Pound-for-pound: Fury No. 5
  • Also on the card: Fabio Wardley vs. David Adeleye, heavyweights; Joseph Parker vs. Simon Kean, heavyweights; Carlos Takam vs Martin Bakole, heavyweights; Arslanbek Makhmudov vs. Junior Anthony Wright, heavyweights
  • Prediction: Fury KO 6
  • Background: Fury is already committed to face fellow titleholder Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight championship this winter but must deal with Ngannou first. The MMA star is making his boxing debut against the most accomplished heavyweight in the world, meaning this matchup is nothing more than a glorified sparring session for Fury that will earn both men a lot of money. Fury last fought in December, when he stopped Derek Chisora in 10 rounds. The 35-year-old from Manchester, England, will have been out of the ring for almost 11 months. Ngannou last fought in UFC 270 in January of last year, 21 months ago. The 37-year-old native of Cameroon outpointed Ciryl Gane in that bout.

 

O’SHAQUIE FOSTER (20-2, 11 KOs)
VS. EDUARDO HERNANDEZ (34-1, 31 KOs)

  • Date: Saturday, Oct. 28
  • Time: 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Poliforum Benito Juarez, Cancun, Mexico
  • TV/Stream: DAZN
  • Division: Junior lightweight (130 pounds)
  • At stake: Foster’s WBC title
  • Odds: Foster 2-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Pound-for-pound: None
  • Also on the card: Justis Huni vs. Andrew Tabiti, heavyweights; Eduardo Nunez vs. Oscar Escandon, junior lightweights; Cristopher Lopez Rodriguez vs. Aaron Alameda, junior featherweights
  • Prediction: Foster UD
  • Background: Foster is coming off a sensational unanimous decision victory over Rey Vargas to win his first major belt this past February. The 30-year-old from Houston, a one-time amateur star, has won 10 consecutive fights since he lost for the second time in 2016. Hernandez is a 25-year-old banger from Mexico. He has a knockout percentage of 91, with 31 KOs in 35 fights. No one has gone the distance with him since 2014, although he was stopped in one round by Roger Gutierrez in 2019. He has won six fights since the setback. The native of Mexico City will have the advantage of fighting in front of his home country fans.

 

ALSO FIGHTING THIS WEEK

THURSDAY

  • Jordan Panthen vs. Alejandro Ibarra, junior middleweights, Costa Mesa, California (FITE)

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Fighter of the Month: O’Shaquie Foster made a major breakthrough

Fighter of the Month: O’Shaquie Foster made a major breakthrough in his victory over Rey Vargas.

The process of selecting a Boxing Junkie Fighter of the Month for February was difficult.

Amanda Serrano was a good candidate after outpointing Erika Cruz to finally add “undisputed champion” to her long list of accomplishments on Feb. 4. Mauricio Lara made a strong impression by taking out Leigh Wood to win his first title on Feb. 18 in the U.K., hostile territory. And Subriel Matias and Badou Jack deserved consideration after their title-winning efforts this past Saturday.

However, based on the level of opposition combined with the stakes, the winner is O’Shaquie Foster.

Foster (20-2, 11 KOs) capped an impressive comeback from a rough stretch in the mid-2010s by outclassing previously unbeaten two-division champion Rey Vargas to win the vacant WBC 130-pound title – his first – on Feb. 11 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, Foster’s home state.

He calmly, cooly outboxed one of the most respected technicians in the game, sticking and moving to defuse everything Vargas (36-1, 22 KOs) tried to do and win a wide unanimous decision. Boxing Junkie had nine rounds to three for Foster.

In other words, he made an accomplished opponent look ordinary.

Naysayers might point out that Vargas moved up from 126 pounds for the fight but he looked and evidently felt comfortable at 130. He suggested afterward that he might give up his featherweight belt and stay at junior lightweight.

Indeed, Foster turned in the performance of his career to finally make his way to the elite level of the sport after more than a decade as a professional.

“Man, it feels great. This journey has been crazy,” Foster said with a smile he couldn’t wipe off his face after the fight.

And, even though he’s 29, you get the feeling he’s just getting started. Can he beat the other top 130-pounders, guys like Oscar Valdez, Hector Luis Garcia, Shavkat Rakhimov and Emanuel Navarrete? We’ll see.

One thing seems certain, though: His technical ability and defense-oriented style will give even his best opponents problems, as we saw on Feb. 11.

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Fighter of the Month: O’Shaquie Foster made a major breakthrough

Fighter of the Month: O’Shaquie Foster made a major breakthrough in his victory over Rey Vargas.

The process of selecting a Boxing Junkie Fighter of the Month for February was difficult.

Amanda Serrano was a good candidate after outpointing Erika Cruz to finally add “undisputed champion” to her long list of accomplishments on Feb. 4. Mauricio Lara made a strong impression by taking out Leigh Wood to win his first title on Feb. 18 in the U.K., hostile territory. And Subriel Matias and Badou Jack deserved consideration after their title-winning efforts this past Saturday.

However, based on the level of opposition combined with the stakes, the winner is O’Shaquie Foster.

Foster (20-2, 11 KOs) capped an impressive comeback from a rough stretch in the mid-2010s by outclassing previously unbeaten two-division champion Rey Vargas to win the vacant WBC 130-pound title – his first – on Feb. 11 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, Foster’s home state.

He calmly, cooly outboxed one of the most respected technicians in the game, sticking and moving to defuse everything Vargas (36-1, 22 KOs) tried to do and win a wide unanimous decision. Boxing Junkie had nine rounds to three for Foster.

In other words, he made an accomplished opponent look ordinary.

Naysayers might point out that Vargas moved up from 126 pounds for the fight but he looked and evidently felt comfortable at 130. He suggested afterward that he might give up his featherweight belt and stay at junior lightweight.

Indeed, Foster turned in the performance of his career to finally make his way to the elite level of the sport after more than a decade as a professional.

“Man, it feels great. This journey has been crazy,” Foster said with a smile he couldn’t wipe off his face after the fight.

And, even though he’s 29, you get the feeling he’s just getting started. Can he beat the other top 130-pounders, guys like Oscar Valdez, Hector Luis Garcia, Shavkat Rakhimov and Emanuel Navarrete? We’ll see.

One thing seems certain, though: His technical ability and defense-oriented style will give even his best opponents problems, as we saw on Feb. 11.

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Weekend Review: O’Shaquie Foster makes most of big opportunity

Weekend Review: O’Shaquie Foster made the most of a big opportunity against Rey Vargas on Saturday in San Antonio.

A critical look at the past week in boxing

BIGGEST WINNER

O’Shaquie Foster – The new 130-pound beltholder was correct when he said after his break-through victory on Saturday that his style could pose problems for anyone. His combination of natural gifts and well-honed ability – particularly on defense – defused everything veteran Rey Vargas tried to do at the Alamodome in San Antonio, which resulted in a one-sided decision and the Texan’s first world title. And remember: Vargas was no easy mark. The Mexican was unbeaten and a two-division titleholder going into the fight for the vacant WBC title, although he was moving up in weight. And Foster (20-2, 12 KOs) made him look ordinary. And if he can make Vargas (36-1, 22 KOs) look ordinary … well, the others at or near his weight have been put on notice. I don’t know whether Foster is going to become a fan favorite because he’s primarily a technician but he’s going to be awfully difficult to beat.

 

BIGGEST LOSER

Rey Vargas – The 32-year-old from Mexico City is actually in a good position. Yes, he suffered the first loss in his 14-year career, a fate that is difficult for any fighter to swallow. And he failed in his bid to join a select fraternity by becoming a three-division champion. At the same time, he can say, “Hey, it was a stretch for me to move up to 130 pounds.” He seemed to imply after the fight he wasn’t comfortable at the weight, saying through a translator “The weight might have been a little difficult, maybe the power’s a little different. But I said from the beginning, it’s more the legs and stuff.” Vargas remains the WBC 126-pound titleholder. He can simply go back down to featherweight, where he won’t give up any advantages in terms of size. And if he decides to give 130 another go, he’ll probably have his hand raised the next time. It’s not as if he was blown out by Foster; he was competitive. Vargas has more success ahead him.

 

RABBIT PUNCHES

Foster said after the fight that he expects to make two mandatory defenses before he can think about unifying 130-pound titles, which is the result of winning a vacant title. First is line is No. 2-ranked Eduardo Hernandez, a 25-year-old slugger from Mexico. Hernandez (33-1, 30 KOs) isn’t the boxer Vargas is but he’s naturally bigger and a knockout artist. He would have to hurt Foster to beat him, which is possible if Foster isn’t careful. Hernandez can discombobulate anyone. He also can be hurt himself, as we saw when Roger Gutierrez stopped him with a single right hand in the first round in 2019. The second mandatory? That will be sorted out over the next several months. … Welterweight contender Mario Barrios (27-2, 18 KOs) stopped smallish Jovanie Santiago (14-3-1, 10 KOs) in the eighth round on the Foster-Vargas card, which keeps him relevant. The San Antonio native had lost his two previous fights, to Gervonta Davis (at 140) and Keith Thurman (147). Barrios landed more and more punishing blows as the fight progressed and the stoppage was brutal, which was a strong statement for him. Can he compete with the top 147-pounders? That will be difficult because he’s a limited boxer but he’ll always come to fight and has power.

News item: Canelo Alvarez (58-2-2, 39 KOs) and John Ryder reportedly are near a deal to fight on May 6 in Jalisco, Mexico, near Alvarez’s hometown of Guadalajara. I get that Alvarez wants to fight at home for the first time since he stopped Kermit Cintron in 2011. He wants to reward his fans. It’s just difficult to get excited about his opponent. Ryder (32-5, 18 KOs) is a solid fighter, as the Londoner has proved against quality opposition the past few years, but he’s not a serious threat to the pound-for-pounder. The matchup reminds me of the 1993 Julio Cesar Chavez–Greg Haugen fight that drew 136,000 to Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Great event, not competitive. Alvarez’s planned subsequent fight would be a challenge: He reportedly wants to face light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol a second time in September. Bivol defeated Alvarez by a unanimous decision last May. … I was pleased to hear that Anthony Joshua says a meeting with Deontay Wilder is inevitable. No one cares whether a title would be at stake. That matchup would be a blast. I was less pleased to hear that Wilder said he’d like to face mixed martial artist Francis Ngannou. That’s not a fight; it’s an execution. Wilder reportedly is frustrated with negotiations with Andy Ruiz Jr.

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Weekend Review: O’Shaquie Foster makes most of big opportunity

Weekend Review: O’Shaquie Foster made the most of a big opportunity against Rey Vargas on Saturday in San Antonio.

A critical look at the past week in boxing

BIGGEST WINNER

O’Shaquie Foster – The new 130-pound beltholder was correct when he said after his break-through victory on Saturday that his style could pose problems for anyone. His combination of natural gifts and well-honed ability – particularly on defense – defused everything veteran Rey Vargas tried to do at the Alamodome in San Antonio, which resulted in a one-sided decision and the Texan’s first world title. And remember: Vargas was no easy mark. The Mexican was unbeaten and a two-division titleholder going into the fight for the vacant WBC title, although he was moving up in weight. And Foster (20-2, 12 KOs) made him look ordinary. And if he can make Vargas (36-1, 22 KOs) look ordinary … well, the others at or near his weight have been put on notice. I don’t know whether Foster is going to become a fan favorite because he’s primarily a technician but he’s going to be awfully difficult to beat.

 

BIGGEST LOSER

Rey Vargas – The 32-year-old from Mexico City is actually in a good position. Yes, he suffered the first loss in his 14-year career, a fate that is difficult for any fighter to swallow. And he failed in his bid to join a select fraternity by becoming a three-division champion. At the same time, he can say, “Hey, it was a stretch for me to move up to 130 pounds.” He seemed to imply after the fight he wasn’t comfortable at the weight, saying through a translator “The weight might have been a little difficult, maybe the power’s a little different. But I said from the beginning, it’s more the legs and stuff.” Vargas remains the WBC 126-pound titleholder. He can simply go back down to featherweight, where he won’t give up any advantages in terms of size. And if he decides to give 130 another go, he’ll probably have his hand raised the next time. It’s not as if he was blown out by Foster; he was competitive. Vargas has more success ahead him.

 

RABBIT PUNCHES

Foster said after the fight that he expects to make two mandatory defenses before he can think about unifying 130-pound titles, which is the result of winning a vacant title. First is line is No. 2-ranked Eduardo Hernandez, a 25-year-old slugger from Mexico. Hernandez (33-1, 30 KOs) isn’t the boxer Vargas is but he’s naturally bigger and a knockout artist. He would have to hurt Foster to beat him, which is possible if Foster isn’t careful. Hernandez can discombobulate anyone. He also can be hurt himself, as we saw when Roger Gutierrez stopped him with a single right hand in the first round in 2019. The second mandatory? That will be sorted out over the next several months. … Welterweight contender Mario Barrios (27-2, 18 KOs) stopped smallish Jovanie Santiago (14-3-1, 10 KOs) in the eighth round on the Foster-Vargas card, which keeps him relevant. The San Antonio native had lost his two previous fights, to Gervonta Davis (at 140) and Keith Thurman (147). Barrios landed more and more punishing blows as the fight progressed and the stoppage was brutal, which was a strong statement for him. Can he compete with the top 147-pounders? That will be difficult because he’s a limited boxer but he’ll always come to fight and has power.

News item: Canelo Alvarez (58-2-2, 39 KOs) and John Ryder reportedly are near a deal to fight on May 6 in Jalisco, Mexico, near Alvarez’s hometown of Guadalajara. I get that Alvarez wants to fight at home for the first time since he stopped Kermit Cintron in 2011. He wants to reward his fans. It’s just difficult to get excited about his opponent. Ryder (32-5, 18 KOs) is a solid fighter, as the Londoner has proved against quality opposition the past few years, but he’s not a serious threat to the pound-for-pounder. The matchup reminds me of the 1993 Julio Cesar Chavez–Greg Haugen fight that drew 136,000 to Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Great event, not competitive. Alvarez’s planned subsequent fight would be a challenge: He reportedly wants to face light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol a second time in September. Bivol defeated Alvarez by a unanimous decision last May. … I was pleased to hear that Anthony Joshua says a meeting with Deontay Wilder is inevitable. No one cares whether a title would be at stake. That matchup would be a blast. I was less pleased to hear that Wilder said he’d like to face mixed martial artist Francis Ngannou. That’s not a fight; it’s an execution. Wilder reportedly is frustrated with negotiations with Andy Ruiz Jr.

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