Robson Conceicao defends his WBC super featherweight title against former champion O’Shaquie Foster in a 12-round rematch this Saturday, November 2 at the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York.
If Foster wants to regain his belt, he will be much more busy because he was outworked in every round of the fight by Conceicao, who was always on the attack, dominating.
Foster sometimes threw a single punch, but then went back into his shell for a long time and tried to block punches. While Foster looked good when he was landing his single punches, it was impossible to ignore how many shots Conceicao was landing on him. It was like a total wave, crashing over Foster, who was overwhelmed.
People who watched Foster’s win seemed to have tunnel vision, focusing on his rare punches and ignoring how he was riddled with shots from the tougher, much busier Conceicao.
We saw the same Shakur-esque style from Foster in his previous fight against Abraham Nova earlier this year on February 16th at Madison Square Garden in New York. The judges gave Foster a split decision over 12 rounds, despite Nova beating him the entire fight. Foster didn’t learn his lesson from that fight; therefore, he was defeated by Conceicao.
That lazy minimalist approach doesn’t work at the professional level. It may have worked for Foster when he was an amateur, but fighters have to work hard in the pros. They can’t let their opponents throw all the punches and then hope the judges will give them the decision based on four or five punches landed in the ring.
The event will be shown live on ESPN+, starting at 5:50 pm ET.
The WBC ordered the rematch because of Foster’s (22-3, 12 KOs) shoutout over Conceicao’s 12-round split decision victory earlier this year on July 6 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey . They felt Foster, 31, had been robbed of a win by the judges.
Foster’s minimalist approach to the fight, choosing to throw the occasional punch is why the judges gave the win to Challenger Conceicao (19-2-1, 9 KO). It is difficult for the judges to give a fighter a decision to win when they are not working, and their opponent is attacking non-stop with punches, as Conceicao was doing. Foster was fighting much like Shakur Stevenson, who headlined on that card against Artem Harutyunyan.
Undercard Fights:
Jahi Tucker vs. Quilisto Madera
Raymond Muratalla vs. Jesus Perez
Abraham Nova vs. Humberto Galindo
Damian Knyba vs. Richard Lartey
“If you’re the champion, you have to show why you’re the champion,” Conceicao said. “You have to assert yourself and try to take out your opponent. You shouldn’t run all the time. You shouldn’t throw single shots.”
“Now, he has another opportunity. But I’m the champion now. I’m going to show why I’m the champion. I’m going to assert myself and go for the knockout. I’m going to hit him hard and often.
