O’SHAQUIE Foster enters the Prudential Heart ring tomorrow night, defending his WBC super-featherweight title towards Robson Conceição. The bout, towards a former Olympic gold medallist, will function the co-feature to Shakur Stevenson’s contest with Artem Harutyunyan.
Whereas the likes of Stevenson (a three-weight world champion no much less) might take these events of their stride, and even barely without any consideration, for a fighter like Foster, it’s been a very long time coming, working his technique to such a lofty place and now being within the dialogue for instant unification clashes with 130-pound rivals.
“I simply must go in there and be me. That’s the largest factor. I’m totally wholesome. So, everybody goes to see a special fighter than what they noticed the final time I got here out,” acknowledged the 30-year-old Texan.
Foster is getting ready for a stronger show, seemingly nonetheless disenchanted along with his efficiency in February, when he overcame maiden challenger Abraham Nova (beneath) on factors.
“I couldn’t do what I needed in that struggle towards Abraham Nova. I couldn’t transfer my toes like I needed. However, no excuses. I’m going to exit and present the world that I’m ranges above this man,” stated, ‘Ice Water’, earlier than discussing subsequent foe Conceição.
“I’ve had an extended beginner profession, so I’ve seen his model a number of instances. We had nice sparring companions that mimicked him. I’ve all the time been pleased with my protection, so we’ll determine it out once we get in there.”
Whereas he all the time had the expertise, Foster wanted to beat private demons and get his life collectively each out and in of the ring. Earlier than O’Shaquie hit the massive time, he boxed big-punching Spaniard Jon Fernandez in Oklahoma in 2018. Foster gained that night time by scores of 98-92 throughout the board. Is Fernandez stunned by what his conqueror has gone on to realize, or did he all the time see that type of potential effervescent earlier than the floor?
“On the time after I confronted O’Shaquie Foster, he wasn’t as well-known as he’s now. However as quickly because the struggle completed, I knew he was a really, superb operator and that he was going to go on and struggle for world honours and turn out to be world champion,” defined Fernandez, who fights Dalton Smith subsequent for the European title.
“And in addition O’Shaquie Foster informed me himself after the struggle as properly, that he had issues along with his crew earlier than then, in order that he had a brand new crew and that he was advancing and he was going to start out enhancing his recreation. And that’s clearly what occurred.”
As rapidly as Foster has turned his profession round, his opponent tomorrow night, Robson Conceição, simply can not appear to catch an expert break. World title losses to headliner Stevenson, in addition to a earlier controversy-tinged reverse to Oscar Valdez, stung exhausting.
Refusing to turn out to be downbeat, boxing Emanuel Navarrete to a draw on the shut of 2023, Robson believes all good issues come to those that wait and O’Shaquie Foster -who needed to stage a late rally to win his WBC world title from Eduardo Hernandez in 2023- will see his personal luck run out this time.
“Issues in my profession weren’t essentially straightforward. As an beginner, I had three alternatives to turn out to be a gold medalist. I see an analogous path as an expert. And on Saturday, I’m going to be prepared,” stated Conceição.
“I don’t take a look at these challenges as stress. I take a look at them as motivation. So, I’m motivated, and I’m trying ahead to this struggle on Saturday. I’ll be the brand new world champion. No stress. Simply motivation.”
