Boxing
O’Shaquie Foster’s talent was always there, says former opponent
Published
3 months agoon
By
J. HumzaO’SHAQUIE Foster steps into the ring at the Prudential Center tomorrow night to defend his WBC super featherweight title against Robson Conceição. The fight with the former Olympic gold medalist will be the co-main event to Shakur Stevenson’s fight with Artem Harutyunyan.
While a fighter like Stevenson (actually a three-division world champion) might take these opportunities for granted, it’s taken a long time for a fighter like Foster to earn such a high profile and now be considered for immediate unification fights with contenders at 130 pounds.
“I just have to go in there and be myself. That’s the most critical thing. I’m fully hearty. So everyone will see a different player than the one they saw last time I went out,” the 30-year-old Texan said.
Foster is preparing for a stronger performance, clearly still disappointed with his performance in February when he defeated top contender Abraham Nova on points (below).
“I couldn’t do what I wanted to do in that fight with Abraham Nova. I couldn’t move my legs the way I wanted to. But there are no excuses. I’m going to go out and show the world that I’m a level above that guy,” he told “Ice Water” before discussing Conceição’s next opponent.
“I had a long amateur career, so I’ve seen his style a few times. We had great sparring partners who emulated him. I’ve always prided myself on my defense, so we’ll figure that out when we get in there.”
Though he’s always had talent, Foster has had to overcome personal demons and get his life in order both in and out of the ring. Before O’Shaquie hit the gigantic time, he fought hard-hitting Spaniard Jon Fernandez in Oklahoma in 2018. Foster won that night by a score of 98-92. Is Fernandez surprised by what his slayer has accomplished, or did he always see that kind of potential bubbling away before it surfaced?
“When I fought O’Shaquie Foster, he wasn’t as well-known as he is now. But as soon as the fight was over, I knew he was a very, very good operator and that he would fight for world honours and become world champion,” explained Fernandez, who will next fight Dalton Smith for the European title.
“And also O’Shaquie Foster himself told me after the fight that he had problems with the team before, so he had a fresh team and that he was making progress and would start improving his game. And that’s obvious what happened.”
As quickly as Foster has turned his career around, his opponent tomorrow night, Robson Conceição, simply can’t catch a professional break. World title defeats to star Stevenson, as well as a previous controversy with Oscar Valdez, have stung.
Robson, who refuses to give up and drew a boxing fight with Emanuel Navarreta in overdue 2023, believes all good things come to those who wait and O’Shaquie Foster, who had to stage a overdue fight to take the WBC world title from Eduardo Hernandez in 2023, will be out of luck this time.
“Things in my career haven’t necessarily been effortless. As an amateur, I had three opportunities to become a gold medalist. I see a similar path as a professional. And on Saturday, I’ll be ready,” Conceição said.
“I don’t see these challenges as pressure. I see them as motivation. So I’m motivated and I’m looking forward to this fight on Saturday. I’m going to be the fresh world champion. No pressure. Just motivation.”
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Boxing
Tyson Fury vows to be in “destruction mode” against Oleksandr Usyk
Published
59 mins agoon
October 6, 2024Tyson Fury has said he will throw caution to the wind when he faces heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk and will aim for a knockout victory in the rematch.
In their first fight in May, Fury gained momentum in the fourth round and showed off a display, catching Usyk with vicious body shots, but the Ukrainian responded and turned the fight around in the eighth round.
Usyk’s powerful punches to the head left Fury reeling, and the previously undefeated boxer fought through the final rounds of the fight before losing a split decision and relinquishing his WBC heavyweight title.
The rematch will take place on December 21 in Riyad, Saudi Arabia, and the WBC, WBO and WBA titles will be at stake.
“I’m going to go in there in destruction mode. The last time I fought him in boxing, I was cautious. I shot him right in the head,” Fury told TNT Sports on Saturday.
“Let’s talk about the facts. Anyone can get caught, as we have seen in many heavyweight fights, but this time I will not go for a points decision.”
Fury added that he is still interested in fighting fellow Briton Anthony Joshua, despite the former champion’s knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois in his IBF title fight last month.
Joshua and Fury were scheduled to face each other in the proposed Fight for Britain in 2022, but the fight ended in failure.
“At the end of the day, it would be a travesty if we didn’t fight,” Fury said.
“No matter if he loses 20 more fights. If he doesn’t win the next fight and has 10 years left to fight, it doesn’t matter, we have to fight.”
Boxing
Gervonta Davis vs. Lamont Roach fight poster revealed
Published
3 hours agoon
October 6, 2024The official fight poster for Gervonta Davis vs. Lamont Roach was briefly posted on social media by Tank before being removed in connection with the PPV fight that took place on December 14 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
The PPV price is not on the poster, but it will likely be the same $75.95 as Tank’s last fight with Frank Martin. Tank won’t want a pay cut. David Benavidez is not expected to star in another feature film like he did during Tank’s last fight. No matter what price organizers decide to sell the Tank-Roach event, it is not expected to perform well on PPV.
Fans of Program They don’t buy tank supporters who say none of the top players were available.
They simply see it as standard operating procedure for Tank Davis, who has been drafted this way throughout his 11-year professional career. The best names on Tank’s resume are Mario Barrios and Ryan Garcia. These were irrigation clauses.
People would be more tolerant of this fight if Tank’s last fight was against a tough opponent rather than another pick, but that’s not the case. Tank’s last fight was against Frank Martin, whom he knocked out in the eighth round last June after a 14-month break.
Tank’s last six opponents:
– Frank Martin
–Ryan Garcia
-Hector García
– Rolando “Rolly” Romero
– Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz
– Mario Barrios
It doesn’t matter how great the fight poster looks for the Tank vs. event. Roach. Fans will still be critical of this fight and will not want to buy it on PPV. It’s a bad fight and Tank wasn’t giving people the fights they wanted.
Breaking 🗞️ 🚨‼️
The official poster of the movie Tank vs Roach👀🚨‼️ pic.twitter.com/Xj7YQnBMsf
— INEVITABLE/DBLOK🎙️🥊 (@AdrianReyn79551) October 6, 2024
Last update: 10/06/2024
Boxing
Nick Ball stops Ronny Rios in the 10th round and defends his world title
Published
5 hours agoon
October 6, 2024NICK Ball finally overcame resistance from WBA featherweight title challenger Ronny Rios at the Echo Arena in Liverpool. Rios’ main cornerman stepped onto the ring apron, waved a towel, and pulled his fighter out of harm’s way at 2-06 of round 10.
Ball ran out of the blocks, firing large shots with both hands. Taller and bigger, Rios tried to crouch and trade, but the difference in firepower was immediately apparent as Ronny went down on the ropes in the second round. Ball left that session with a bloody nose, so Rios must have hit on something noteworthy.
The beating continued into the third period when Rios hit the canvas following an attack by Ball. He stood up and nodded to referee Bob Williams that he was ready for more punishment. Ball responded with an attack that seemed to last the rest of the round.
Rios had the better fifth, landing left hooks to the body and peppering Ball’s gushing nostrils as the Liverpool man took a breather. Rios was trailing in round seven, but dropped the decision when Ball caught his second wind and began throwing uppercuts, switching several positions for good measure. Rios, who later dropped to 34-5 (17 KO), finally collapsed in the 10th round as he was dragged through the ropes and stretched out.
“To be straightforward, I think I got a little carried away by the audience; I took a few too many shots,” said Ball, who improved his record to 21-0-1 (12 KOs).
“He’s a tough man, he’s back and I respect him. My nose always falls off, it’s boxing and there will always be nosebleeds.
Ball holds one of the four belts, and names like Rey Vargas and Naoya Inoue were later mentioned. A reunion appears to be on the cards, as is the long-held dream of fighting at Anfield.
Match results Nick Ball vs. Ronny Rios Undercard
Earlier in the evening, Jack Rafferty had lost most of the boxing match, but won the war, forcing Henry Turner to retire after the ninth round. Southpaw Turner was boxing well until he endured a heated ninth round of abuse that ultimately saw him fall to the canvas and finish the count with blood spilling from his nose. Between rounds, with Turner’s head spinning in despair, Alan Smith alerted referee Ron Kearney that the fight had to end.
Jack Turner knocked out Gonzalo Corinaldesi in the first round of a scheduled six-round match. Cuban talent Jadier Herrera needed a few rounds to loosen up before a left hand to the body of Oliver Flores knocked the Nicaraguan off balance.
Andrew Cain crushed Lazaro Casseres in the second round. Joe Cooper started the televised part of the gala with a powerful points victory over Łukasz Barabasz. Walter Fury outpointed Dale Arrowsmith in four rounds.
Previous winners included James McGivern, Lucas Biswana, Nelson Birchall, Brad Strand and Boma Brown.
Tyson Fury vows to be in “destruction mode” against Oleksandr Usyk
Tyson Fury chooses the only boxer he would avoid fighting. “Do you think I’m stupid?”
Gervonta Davis vs. Lamont Roach fight poster revealed
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