Foster won the WBC lightweight world title last February by defeating Rey Vargas, and defended it in October with a 12th-round TKO victory over Rocky Hernandez.
9:16, UK, Saturday 17 February 2024
Oshakie Foster defended his WBC world super featherweight title with a split decision victory over Abraham Nova on Friday night at The Theater at Madison Square Garden.
One judge had the score 113-114 in Nova's favor, but the scores were reversed for Foster at 115-112 and 116-111.
After studying each other with jabs and feints in the early rounds, Foster began to take control in the sixth and seventh rounds, landing power shots on Nova as she began to fade.
Foster began to extend his lead by hurting Nova with a barrage of right hand chops in the ninth, then dropped her with a left hook in the final round to interrupt her performance.
“I don't want to make any excuses, but when I tried to throw my right hand, his elbow hit me right in the middle of the bicep, so I had a little bit of force. But I'm fine,” Foster said of his own. He talked about performance.
“Tonight I was out of rhythm. It's okay. I came home with a win, so I can't complain. I'm a 12-round fighter and I know how to judge throughout a fight. That's why he got stronger.” Yeah, but I found my rhythm and his timing and started to get it.”
Foster aims to unify the super featherweight division and mentioned potential opponents for his third defense.
“Navarrete is busy. I'm going to face Lamont Roach Jr. or the winner of Oscar Valdez vs. Liam Wilson.”
Nova reflected on the defeat and praised his opponent, but claimed that he failed in the 12th round, which turned out to be crucial.
“Oshaky is a great fighter. He hit me, but I did I slipped (in the 12th round), Nova said.
“I lost my balance. I wasn't hurt. If that hadn't happened, the fight would have been a draw. This is boxing. Maybe they think I'm not that good. I know. But you all know I'm a top-notch, great fighter.
“I hope you see me here again. I'm a world-class candidate. Oshaky, I can fight back. Let's do it again. If not, I can fight anyone in Navarrete.” Nova added.
Carrington impresses in front of home crowd
Featherweight genius on the undercard Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington landed a right hand from his back pocket, knocking Bernard Torres down and counting him out in the fourth round.
Carrington (11-0, 7 KOs), a native of Brownsville, Brooklyn, is an early candidate for Knockout of the Year following his 2023 Prospect of the Year campaign.
Torres (18-2, 8 KOs) fell face-first to the canvas, and referee Charlie Fitch quickly waved the fight off.
“Performing in front of your home crowd always means the world. New York City. Madison Square Garden. Everyone makes me want to be there every time. Every time I fight here, I get knocked out. Every time I fight.” Here I get a stop, Carrington said.
“I felt like he leaned into the punch and landed it in the right place with the right force. But he's a tough competitor. He's a really good guy. I like the way he uses his feet. He uses his angles well and knows how to get out of certain situations. But we were ready for anything. ”
Cortez overwhelms Chevalier
Andres Cortez (21-0, 12 KOs) defeated Puerto Rican challenger Brian Chevalier by fourth-round TKO to win the WBO Intercontinental Junior Lightweight title.
From the opening bell, Cortez connected with left and right hooks. The Las Vegas native continued to land easily, seriously injuring Chevalier and forcing him to stop the fight in the corner 2:17 into the fourth round.
Italian Olympian Guido Vianello (12-1-1, 10 KOs) defeated Moses Johnson by first-round TKO. Vianello dropped Johnson four times before referee Shada Murdaugh stopped the fight at 2:59.