Tag: O’Shaquie Foster

Rey Vargas and O’Shaquie Foster will fight for a vacant 130-pound title Saturday at the Alamodome in San Antonio (Showtime).

And if you ask them, both will tell you with confidence that he’s going to have his hand raised afterward.

Vargas, a two-division titleholder who is shooting for a third, is about a 1½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets).

“The best way to tell the world about me is by winning another world title,” he said Thursday at the final news conference before the fight. “I’ve been a solid world champion for a while and now I’m going to add myself to the same list as the greatest Mexican fighters of all time.”

Said Foster: “I’m coming to spoil the show. I know he’s going to have the fans on his side, but by the end of the night the world is going to see what I’m really made of.”

[lawrence-related id=35525,35513,35505]

Rey Vargas and O’Shaquie Foster will fight for a vacant 130-pound title Saturday at the Alamodome in San Antonio (Showtime).

And if you ask them, both will tell you with confidence that he’s going to have his hand raised afterward.

Vargas, a two-division titleholder who is shooting for a third, is about a 1½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets).

“The best way to tell the world about me is by winning another world title,” he said Thursday at the final news conference before the fight. “I’ve been a solid world champion for a while and now I’m going to add myself to the same list as the greatest Mexican fighters of all time.”

Said Foster: “I’m coming to spoil the show. I know he’s going to have the fans on his side, but by the end of the night the world is going to see what I’m really made of.”

[lawrence-related id=35525,35513,35505]

O’Shaquie Foster’s dreams of becoming a world champion seemed unrealistic in the mid-2010s.

The one-time U.S. amateur star from Texas lost two decisions in a span of four fights, against Samuel Teah in 2015 and Rolando Chinea the follow year that left his career at a crossroads.

Well, he evidently took the right path when things looked bleakest. He took 17 months off, revamped his team (he’s now trained by Bobby Benton) and eliminated distractions by moving from his hometown of Orange to Houston.

The result? He hasn’t lost since the Chinea fight, a run that has led to a meeting with Rey Vargas for a vacant 130-pound title Saturday at the Alamodome in San Antonio (Showtime).

That’s not to say that his career has gone perfectly – he has fought only twice since 2019 because of a promotional dispute – but he’s exactly where he wants to be at this moment.

“I had to get with a team that believed in me, that knew me,” Foster told me and Kenneth Bouhairie on The PBC Podcast. “… That’s really the ultimate thing, having the right team around me, to [realize] my potential.

“… I always knew I had it. It was just circumstances.”

Foster (19-2, 11 KOs) hasn’t been as active as he would’ve liked the past few years but he has delivered some notable victories.

Unanimous decisions in 2018 over Frank De Alba and then-unbeaten Jon Fernandez in his first 10-rounder and a ninth-round knockout of veteran Miguel Roman in 2020 stand out. He looked like a contender in all those victories.

In other words, he didn’t come out of nowhere to get his opportunity on Saturday.

“I worked for this moment my entire life,” he said. “… For me it has been a step-by-step thing. I went to Pennsylvania right after I got started [again] and fought as the “B” side in [De Alba’s] hometown with his promoter and beat him. Jon Fernandez was supposed to be this big monster on ShoBox – he was [16-0, with 14] knockouts – and I went and beat him.

“It was definitely step by step getting me prepared for this moment.”

Of course, Vargas (36-0, 22 KOs) represents a significant step up in opposition even though the Mexican will be making his debut at 130 pounds.

Foster wasn’t overly impressed with Vargas’ victory over Mark Magsayo to win a 126-pound belt last June – giving him titles in a second division – because he believes Magsayo is limited. At the same time, as Foster put it, “He got the job done.”

And, yes, he acknowledges that the most difficult challenge of his career is days away.

“Yeah, I feel like he’s the toughest test being that he’s a two-time world champion. And I’ll be fighting for a world title,” Foster said.

At the same time, the 29-year-old doesn’t seem to be fazed by the moment. He had a lot of important fights in his amateur career, during which he took part in the 2012 U.S. Olympic trials. And he’s endured ups and downs as a professional for more than a decade.

A big fight, even a title fight, isn’t going to rattle him.

“I’m ready,” he said. “Words can’t really explain it. It just took so much for me to get to this point. I just feel like it’s [the] time for me to show the world.”

[lawrence-related id=35513]

O’Shaquie Foster’s dreams of becoming a world champion seemed unrealistic in the mid-2010s.

The one-time U.S. amateur star from Texas lost two decisions in a span of four fights, against Samuel Teah in 2015 and Rolando Chinea the follow year that left his career at a crossroads.

Well, he evidently took the right path when things looked bleakest. He took 17 months off, revamped his team (he’s now trained by Bobby Benton) and eliminated distractions by moving from his hometown of Orange to Houston.

The result? He hasn’t lost since the Chinea fight, a run that has led to a meeting with Rey Vargas for a vacant 130-pound title Saturday at the Alamodome in San Antonio (Showtime).

That’s not to say that his career has gone perfectly – he has fought only twice since 2019 because of a promotional dispute – but he’s exactly where he wants to be at this moment.

“I had to get with a team that believed in me, that knew me,” Foster told me and Kenneth Bouhairie on The PBC Podcast. “… That’s really the ultimate thing, having the right team around me, to [realize] my potential.

“… I always knew I had it. It was just circumstances.”

Foster (19-2, 11 KOs) hasn’t been as active as he would’ve liked the past few years but he has delivered some notable victories.

Unanimous decisions in 2018 over Frank De Alba and then-unbeaten Jon Fernandez in his first 10-rounder and a ninth-round knockout of veteran Miguel Roman in 2020 stand out. He looked like a contender in all those victories.

In other words, he didn’t come out of nowhere to get his opportunity on Saturday.

“I worked for this moment my entire life,” he said. “… For me it has been a step-by-step thing. I went to Pennsylvania right after I got started [again] and fought as the “B” side in [De Alba’s] hometown with his promoter and beat him. Jon Fernandez was supposed to be this big monster on ShoBox – he was [16-0, with 14] knockouts – and I went and beat him.

“It was definitely step by step getting me prepared for this moment.”

Of course, Vargas (36-0, 22 KOs) represents a significant step up in opposition even though the Mexican will be making his debut at 130 pounds.

Foster wasn’t overly impressed with Vargas’ victory over Mark Magsayo to win a 126-pound belt last June – giving him titles in a second division – because he believes Magsayo is limited. At the same time, as Foster put it, “He got the job done.”

And, yes, he acknowledges that the most difficult challenge of his career is days away.

“Yeah, I feel like he’s the toughest test being that he’s a two-time world champion. And I’ll be fighting for a world title,” Foster said.

At the same time, the 29-year-old doesn’t seem to be fazed by the moment. He had a lot of important fights in his amateur career, during which he took part in the 2012 U.S. Olympic trials. And he’s endured ups and downs as a professional for more than a decade.

A big fight, even a title fight, isn’t going to rattle him.

“I’m ready,” he said. “Words can’t really explain it. It just took so much for me to get to this point. I just feel like it’s [the] time for me to show the world.”

[lawrence-related id=35513]

Rey Vargas believes that fighters must stand out from the crowd to build their brands.

That might explain why the 32-year-old Mexican will be fighting in a third weight class in his past four fights when he takes on O’Shaquie Foster for the vacant WBC 130-pound title Saturday at the Alamodome in San Antonio (Showtime).

Vargas (36-0, 22 KOs) wants to push his limits, which he believes will take him to the next level in his career.

“My ideal weight is 126,” Vargas told Boxing Junkie through a translator. “Yes … I had one fight at 122, two at 126 and now 130. Even though that’s unusual it’s my goal to achieve unusual things, to cross frontiers that others don’t dare go past. I want to leave my mark as someone who achieved unique things.

“And who knows? Maybe after 130, I’ll venture to lightweight (135).”

It should be noted that there was a two-year gap between his last fight at 122 and first at 126, in part the result of a broken leg suffered during a training run.

He was naturally bigger when he returned to boxing as he approached his 31^st birthday. And he certainly looked comfortable at the new weight, nearly shutting out capable Leonard Baez in a 10-rounder in November 2021.

That earned him a shot at then-WBC beltholder Mark Magsayo, who had outpointed longtime champion Gary Russell Jr. to win the title in his previous fight.

Vargas relied on his superior skillset and experience to outclass Magsayo, although he suffered a flash knockdown in the ninth round. Two judges had Vargas winning 115-112, eight rounds to four. The third somehow scored a one-sided fight 114-113 for Magsayo.

Nevertheless, Vargas, who won a major title in a second division, made a strong statement.

“It was a really important win for my career,” he said. “Being a two-division champion is something I don’t take for granted. I also have to give credit to Mark Magsayo. He was the type of high-quality opponent to take my career to another level.”

Of course, a victory over Foster (19-2, 11 KOs) would give Vargas a world title in yet another division.

Will he stay at 130 if he wins? Would he really consider going up to 135 to seek a belt in a fourth weight class? Or will he go back down to what he acknowledges is the weight that best suits him, 126?

He’ll make that decision based on how he feels in the fight on Saturday and after discussing options with his team.

“It’s really about seeing what the landscape is like,” he said. “If, God willing, I win the title at 130, I could go down to 126. I could stay at super featherweight. I could go up to lightweight, which to be honest would be too big for me in terms of weight.

“I don’t take anything off the table. It’s about really setting new goals and stacking success upon success.”

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Rey Vargas believes that fighters must stand out from the crowd to build their brands.

That might explain why the 32-year-old Mexican will be fighting in a third weight class in his past four fights when he takes on O’Shaquie Foster for the vacant WBC 130-pound title Saturday at the Alamodome in San Antonio (Showtime).

Vargas (36-0, 22 KOs) wants to push his limits, which he believes will take him to the next level in his career.

“My ideal weight is 126,” Vargas told Boxing Junkie through a translator. “Yes … I had one fight at 122, two at 126 and now 130. Even though that’s unusual it’s my goal to achieve unusual things, to cross frontiers that others don’t dare go past. I want to leave my mark as someone who achieved unique things.

“And who knows? Maybe after 130, I’ll venture to lightweight (135).”

It should be noted that there was a two-year gap between his last fight at 122 and first at 126, in part the result of a broken leg suffered during a training run.

He was naturally bigger when he returned to boxing as he approached his 31^st birthday. And he certainly looked comfortable at the new weight, nearly shutting out capable Leonard Baez in a 10-rounder in November 2021.

That earned him a shot at then-WBC beltholder Mark Magsayo, who had outpointed longtime champion Gary Russell Jr. to win the title in his previous fight.

Vargas relied on his superior skillset and experience to outclass Magsayo, although he suffered a flash knockdown in the ninth round. Two judges had Vargas winning 115-112, eight rounds to four. The third somehow scored a one-sided fight 114-113 for Magsayo.

Nevertheless, Vargas, who won a major title in a second division, made a strong statement.

“It was a really important win for my career,” he said. “Being a two-division champion is something I don’t take for granted. I also have to give credit to Mark Magsayo. He was the type of high-quality opponent to take my career to another level.”

Of course, a victory over Foster (19-2, 11 KOs) would give Vargas a world title in yet another division.

Will he stay at 130 if he wins? Would he really consider going up to 135 to seek a belt in a fourth weight class? Or will he go back down to what he acknowledges is the weight that best suits him, 126?

He’ll make that decision based on how he feels in the fight on Saturday and after discussing options with his team.

“It’s really about seeing what the landscape is like,” he said. “If, God willing, I win the title at 130, I could go down to 126. I could stay at super featherweight. I could go up to lightweight, which to be honest would be too big for me in terms of weight.

“I don’t take anything off the table. It’s about really setting new goals and stacking success upon success.”

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FIGHT WEEK

Two-time titleholder Rey Vargas and O’Shaquie Foster will fight for a vacant 130-pound title Saturday night on Showtime from the Alamodome in San Antonio.

REY VARGAS (36-0, 22 KOS) VS. O’SHAQUIE FOSTER (19-2, 11 KOS)

• When: Saturday, Feb. 11
• Time: 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
• Where: Alamodome, San Antonio
• TV/Stream: Showtime
• Division: Junior lightweights (130 pounds)
• At stake: Vacant WBC title
• Pound-for-pound ranking: None
• Odds: Vargas 2-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
• Also on the card: Mario Barrios vs. Jovanie Santiago, welterweights; Lenier Pero vs. Viktor Faust, heavyweights
• Prediction: Vargas UD
• Background: Vargas is back in full gear after a two-year layoff between 2019 and 2021, in part the result of a broken leg suffered during a training run. The 32-year-old Mexican, a former 122-pound titleholder, returned at 126 and nearly shut out Leonard Baez in November 2011 and then defeated then-WBC champ Mark Magsayo by a split decision to become a two-division titleholder in July of last year. Now he’s going for a third even though he says 126 is his natural weight. Vargas is a polished technician and had knockout power at 122 but his two fights at 126 went the distance. We’ll see whether he can hurt the naturally bigger Foster at 130. The 29-year-old Foster, a top U.S. amateur a decade ago, also is good technician but is stepping up in opposition for what is his first opportunity to fight for a major world title. The Houston fighter hit some speed bumps in 2015 and 2016, when he lost two of four fights. He then made some changes in his camp and hasn’t lost since. He delivered arguably his biggest victory when he stopped veteran Miguel Roman in nine rounds in November 2020. He then easily outpointed then-unbeaten Muhammadkhuja Yaqubov in his most recent fight, in March of last year, to earn a shot at the title.

 

ALSO FIGHTING THIS WEEK

WEDNESDAY

• Alejandro Gonzalez vs. Bryan Rivera, junior featherweights, Mexico City (ProBox TV).

FRIDAY

• George Acosta vs. Marlin Sims, junior lightweights, Ontario, California (Thompson Boxing Facebook, YouTube)

SATURDAY

• Ryan Rozicki vs. Arturs Gorlov, cruiserweights, Hamilton, Canada (FITE).

 

FIGHT WEEK

Two-time titleholder Rey Vargas and O’Shaquie Foster will fight for a vacant 130-pound title Saturday night on Showtime from the Alamodome in San Antonio.

REY VARGAS (36-0, 22 KOS) VS. O’SHAQUIE FOSTER (19-2, 11 KOS)

• When: Saturday, Feb. 11
• Time: 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
• Where: Alamodome, San Antonio
• TV/Stream: Showtime
• Division: Junior lightweights (130 pounds)
• At stake: Vacant WBC title
• Pound-for-pound ranking: None
• Odds: Vargas 2-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
• Also on the card: Mario Barrios vs. Jovanie Santiago, welterweights; Lenier Pero vs. Viktor Faust, heavyweights
• Prediction: Vargas UD
• Background: Vargas is back in full gear after a two-year layoff between 2019 and 2021, in part the result of a broken leg suffered during a training run. The 32-year-old Mexican, a former 122-pound titleholder, returned at 126 and nearly shut out Leonard Baez in November 2011 and then defeated then-WBC champ Mark Magsayo by a split decision to become a two-division titleholder in July of last year. Now he’s going for a third even though he says 126 is his natural weight. Vargas is a polished technician and had knockout power at 122 but his two fights at 126 went the distance. We’ll see whether he can hurt the naturally bigger Foster at 130. The 29-year-old Foster, a top U.S. amateur a decade ago, also is good technician but is stepping up in opposition for what is his first opportunity to fight for a major world title. The Houston fighter hit some speed bumps in 2015 and 2016, when he lost two of four fights. He then made some changes in his camp and hasn’t lost since. He delivered arguably his biggest victory when he stopped veteran Miguel Roman in nine rounds in November 2020. He then easily outpointed then-unbeaten Muhammadkhuja Yaqubov in his most recent fight, in March of last year, to earn a shot at the title.

 

ALSO FIGHTING THIS WEEK

WEDNESDAY

• Alejandro Gonzalez vs. Bryan Rivera, junior featherweights, Mexico City (ProBox TV).

FRIDAY

• George Acosta vs. Marlin Sims, junior lightweights, Ontario, California (Thompson Boxing Facebook, YouTube)

SATURDAY

• Ryan Rozicki vs. Arturs Gorlov, cruiserweights, Hamilton, Canada (FITE).