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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.”

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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?

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.

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.

Only 22 seconds remained.

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

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

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

Photos: Brandon Figueroa’s unanimous decision victory over Mark Magsayo

Photos: Brandon Figueroa’s unanimous decision victory over Mark Magsayo on Saturday in Ontario, California.

Brandon Figueroa defeated Mark Magsayo by a unanimous decision in a 12-round fight for the WBC’s “interim” 126-pound title Saturday at Toyota Arena in Ontario, California.

Here are images from the fight. All photos by Esther Lin of Showtime.

Photos: Brandon Figueroa’s unanimous decision victory over Mark Magsayo

Photos: Brandon Figueroa’s unanimous decision victory over Mark Magsayo on Saturday in Ontario, California.

Brandon Figueroa defeated Mark Magsayo by a unanimous decision in a 12-round fight for the WBC’s “interim” 126-pound title Saturday at Toyota Arena in Ontario, California.

Here are images from the fight. All photos by Esther Lin of Showtime.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

Mark Magsayo has something to prove against Brandon Figueroa

Mark Magsayo said he has to prove he remains an elite fighter against Brandon Figueroa after losing his previous bout.

Mark Magsayo experienced the highest of highs and lowest of lows in consecutive fights last year.

The 27-year-old Filipino outpointed Gary Russell Jr. to take Russell’s WBC 126-pound title in January, his first major belt. Then he lost his title to Rey Vargas by a split decision in his first defense in July. Such is the roller coaster that his boxing.

Magsayo insists the past is in the past, though. He’s looking forward, specifically at his fight against Brandon Figueroa for the WBC’s “interim” belt Saturday at Toyota Arena in Ontario, California (Showtime).

“I won a big fight, I lost a big fight,” he told Boxing Junkie. “Now I have a big opportunity again. It’s an honor to fight for a world championship again against Figueroa. This is a great fight.”

What happened against Vargas? Magsayo got off to a slow start but rallied to make it close, including a ninth-round knockdown of Vargas. However, it wasn’t enough to win over two of the judges, both of whom had it 115-112 (eight rounds to four) for Vargas. The third scored it 114-113 for the loser.

Magsayo still believes he deserved to get the nod in that fight but he acknowledged that his reputation took a hit, which gives him added motivation.

“I’m hungrier now,” he said. “I’m coming off a loss. I need to come back stronger to prove to them that I’m an elite fighter, that I’m still a champ. I will get that belt again.”

He won’t do it with Freddie Roach in his corner. He and the Hall of Fame trainer have split after working together for five fights.

His new head trainer is countryman Marvin Somodio, who had been working with Magsayo as Roach’s assistant. One reason for the change: Fighter and trainer share the same first language, Bisaya.

“I’m really thankful for what Freddie Roach has done for me,” Magsayo said. “… I made the move because Marvin and I understand each other during the hard moments of the fight. We speak the same language.

“And he’s good at studying my opponents. I’m lucky that he has been able to do that every time I’ve fought.”

Boxing Junkie doesn’t recognize “interim” as a world title but Magsayo (24-1, 16 KOs) could be fighting for a genuine one again soon if he can get past Figueroa (23-1-1, 18 KOs).

The winner will be first in line to challenge Vargas for the championship. That concept sits well with the revenge-minded Magsayo, although it’s not clear whether Vargas will stay at 126 or give up his title and move up in weight.

Of course, taking down Figueroa will be no easy task. The Texan is an unusually durable brawler who applies relentless pressure on his opponents, which generally wears them down. How do you counter that kind of attack? “The jab and body shots,” Magsayo said.

That’s only part of it, though. He believes he’ll win because he’s prepared.

“I’ve been in the gym since October,” he said. “I believe I’m going to win the fight because I’m working hard.”

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Mark Magsayo has something to prove against Brandon Figueroa

Mark Magsayo said he has to prove he remains an elite fighter against Brandon Figueroa after losing his previous bout.