O'Shaquie Foster Puts On Show To Retain In Houston

WBC junior lightweight champion O’Shaquie Foster successfully defended his title on Saturday night, overcoming a strong early challenge from former featherweight champ Raymond Ford before taking control in the second half of the fight to earn a majority decision victory.

Fighting in front of a passionate home area crowd at Houston’s Fertitta Center in the Matchroom Boxing/DAZN main event, Foster delivered a composed and tactical performance that showcased his experience, boxing skill and ring IQ.

Two judges scored the contest decisive at 118-110 and 116-112 for Foster but one almost comically had the fight 114-114 for a draw and a majority decision. This, despite the fact that Ford likely didn't win more than one of the last eight rounds of the bout.

Although Ford started sharply and enjoyed success during the opening 2-3 rounds, Foster gradually adjusted to his opponent’s style and began dictating the pace of the contest.

There was a controversial moment came late in the first round. This, as Foster appeared to hip-toss Ford during a clinch, sending him towards and through the ropes and onto the ring apron before he slid head-first to the arena floor.

Fortunately, Ford was not seriously hurt and was able to continue. Amazingly, referee Jon Schorle issued didn't call timeout with Ford out of the ring and let the final :20 seconds or so of the round evaporate. And, then only issued a warning to Foster, choosing not to deduct a point despite the incident appearing to be intentional.

Aside from that moment, the fight was competitive and physical but largely clean. Ford, a skilled southpaw, found success early with straight left hands and sharp movement, while Foster relied heavily on his right hand and counter-punching ability. The first six rounds were closely contested, with both fighters enjoying periods of success.

But, as the bout progressed, Foster, now 25-3, 12 KOs, began to separate himself. His pressure increased, his punches landed with greater consistency, and Ford appeared to slow down. In the seventh round, Foster forced Ford onto the ropes and unleashed a sustained attack of 2,3 and 4 punch combos that signaled a shift in momentum. From that point forward, he consistently backed Ford up and controlled the action.

Foster responded with one of his strongest rounds in the eleventh, scoring with several shots with over a minute remaining in the round and a weary Ford was bleeding from his nose and in trouble. 

In the twelfth, Ford, now 18-2-1, looked visibly fatigued while Foster continued pressing forward. With ten seconds remaining, Foster confidently raised his fist in anticipation of victory, sensing that he had done enough to secure the decision. And, he would be correct.

“I started off a little rusty, I ain’t gonna lie, and he was a little sharp early,” Foster said to DAZN in the ring after the fight. “But I knew I was going to start picking him apart. I told him there’s levels to this, and after the son, I’m coming for the daddy next. That’s who I want.”

According to CompuBox stats, Foster landed 106 of his 528 punches, while Ford connected on 99 of 462. The numbers reflected the competitive nature of the fight but  don't fully show how Foster’s was the better fighter with the more impactful punches over the final 6 rounds of the bout. 

Later at the post-fight press conference, Foster doubled down on his bravado, explaining that he viewed Ford as a lesser version of Shakur Stevenson. “I’ve been calling him the dollar store version of Shakur,” Foster said. “If I lose to that, then it’s terrible.”

The drama post fight then escalated, as Foster called to ringside to the unbeaten superstar  Stevenson, who is the new WBO 140 lb. champion. Stevenson entered the ring after he had been supporting his close friend Ford. Foster and Stevenson immediately engaged in a heated face-to-face confrontation, exchanging insults and making it clear that a future showdown is now firmly at least on Foster’s radar.

However, Stevenson is two weight divisions up at 140 lb. and likely would fight a bigger name in a PPV main event.

Still with this impressive title defense on his résumé, Foster is now focused on securing a bigger payday. His top target for that could be fellow Top Rank Rank fighter, Emanuel Navarrete, who wolds the WBO junior lightweight crown. 

Navarrete is an action fighter, who demolished previously unbeaten Eduardo "Sugar" Nunez in February by 11th rond TKO, has a long resume' as a three division world champ and you now have "juice" for that unification bout.