Photo - Mikey Williams/Top Rank
Houston's O'Shaquie Foster (23-3, 12 KOs) regained the WBC junior lightweight world title Saturday with a split decision victory over Robson Conceição (19-3-1, 9 KOs) of Brazil on Saturday at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York. Conceição defeated Foster in July, taking a controversial decision and winning the title.
Prompting the rematch, this time Foster was more aggressive. Foster began to breakdown Conceição as he pressed forward. There was no quitting in Conceicao as Foster consistently defended against the right hand, countering sharply with a right of his own. Foster momentarily hurt Conceição with a one-two, but Conceição survived before trading blows in the championship rounds.
Two judges scored it 115-113 for Foster, while one scored it 115-113 for Conceição.
Foster said, “Man, he's a hell of a fighter. His heart is unbelievable. Shoutout to him. He’s got a big heart.”
“I told y'all I was gonna step it up and bring it to him. That was my goal. I still ain’t satisfied with my performance, but I felt like I showed a lot of people my versatility.”
“I want the winner of Emanuel Navarrete vs. Oscar Valdez.”
Conceição said, “I’m happy because I know what I did in the ring. I did a good job, so there's no reason to be sad. I know the victory wasn't mine tonight, but I know that I did a good job.”
“If he wants the rematch, I’ll be ready. I gave him a rematch, so I think he should show the same respect to me by giving me the third fight.”
Muratalla Scores KO
Lightweight Raymond Muratalla (22-0, 17 KOs) of Fontana, California scored a second round stoppage of Jesus Perez (25-6, 18 KOs) of Mexico in the co-feature Muratalla floored Perez with a one-two combination in the first ten seconds of the round. Perez was up but moments later, Muratalla once again dropped him, prompting referee Charlie Fitch to stop the fight at 1:24.
Muratalla said, "I’m coming for those champions. I’ve still got it. I don't know what people are talking about. I’m here."
"I’m asking for these title shots, and they haven’t given them to me. So, tonight I proved that I deserve it. I want any of the champions.”
“I’m ready for any of the guys with the belts. I’m just waiting for that call. You saw what I'm capable of doing. I’m waiting for that call to fight any of the champions.”
Other Bouts
Junior welterweight Bryce Mills (17-1, 6 KOs) of Syracuse scored a fifth-round TKO over Mike Ohan Jr. (19-4, 9 KOs). Mills overpowered Ohan from the opening seconds, exploiting his low guard to land punches from all angles. By the fifth, Mills was landing at will, prompting Ohan’s corner to halt the one-sided assault after the round ended.
Veteran junior lightweights Abraham Nova (23-3-1, 16 KOs) and Humberto Galindo (14-3-3, 11 KOs) battled to a 10-round split draw. Galindo aggressively cut off the ring, while Nova used his footwork to set up quick jabs and right hands from the outside. Both had their moments but struggled to establish a decisive edge. Scores: 97-93 Galindo, 96-94 Nova, and 95-95.
Middleweight Jahi Tucker (13-1-1, 6 KOs) scored an eighth-round TKO over veteran Quilisto Madera (14-6, 9 KOs). Tucker hurt Madera, prompting the referee to stop the action at 1:52.
Heavyweight: Team USA standout Ali Feliz (4-0, 3 KOs) dispatched Rashad Coulter (5-5, 3 KOs) via second-round TKO. The 21-year-old boxed calmly before landing bombs around Coulter's guard. Feliz soon had Coulter against the ropes, where several unanswered strikes ended the fight at 1:34.
Featherweight: Dominican puncher Yan Santana (13-0, 12 KOs) battered former world title challenger Eduardo Baez (23-7-2, 9 KOs) en route to a fourth-round stoppage. Santana floored Baez with a flurry of punches before another series of blows forced referee Charlie Fitch to halt the contest at 1:57.
Heavyweight: Polish behemoth Damian Knyba (14-0, 8 KOs) remained undefeated with a third-round TKO against Richard Lartey (16-7, 13 KOs). Time of stoppage: 2:10.
Comments