O’Shaquie Foster (23-3, 12 KOs) got his revenge, winning his WBC super featherweight title with a close 12-round split decision victory over champion Robson Conceição (19-3-1, 9 KOs ) on Saturday night. his rematch at the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York.
Tonight’s fight was, for the most part, a chess match, with both fighters blocking shots and making their opponents miss.
Foster, 31, used his minimalist offensive approach, being stingy with his punches and allowing the Conceicao champion to do the work. It was very similar to the first fight, which saw Conceicao win a 12-round split decision on July 6.
Judges’ scores:
115-113 – Foster
115-113 – Concept
115-113 – Foster
In rounds 9 through 12, Conceicao pressed the action, hitting Foster with wide hooks to the head and right hands to the body. Conceicao often used his upper body strength to force Foster against the ropes, where he hammered him with non-stop body shots.
It wasn’t a convincing win for Foster because Conceicao had landed the hardest punches, done most of the work, and had been the one pressing the entire fight. The championship rounds clearly belonged to Conceicao.
Some fans believe the only reason Foster was handed the decision tonight was because of the huge backlash over the previous fight with Conceicao last July. Since Foster believed he was robbed in that fight, the judges were leaning toward giving him the decision tonight, even though he didn’t do enough to earn the win. It looked like a draw or a win for Conceicao.
Last updated on 02/11/2024
