The wait was not that lengthy. 4 months. O’Shaquie Foster had no time to dwell. He needed to flush it quick, as a result of he would get a shot to reclaim the WBC junior light-weight title from Brazilian Robson Conceicao.
This time, there was no dispute, no debate. Foster grew to become a two-time titleholder with a split-decision victory over the robust Conceicao on Saturday night time from Turning Stone Resort & On line casino in Verona, New York.
Foster (23-3, 12 knockouts) gained it 115-113 on the scorecards of Max DeLuca and Eric Marlinski, overruling Tom Schreck’s 115-113 scorecard for Conceicao.
This battle was markedly completely different than the primary, again in July. That was a snorefest. Based on CompuBox, Conceicao solely landed 10.8% of his punches (76 (27 physique photographs)/701), whereas Foster landed 25.1% (109 (20)/435), together with 33.7% of his energy punches (58 (14)/172). In seven of the 12 rounds, nonetheless, the fighters had been separated by three or fewer landed punches.
This time, based on CompuBox, Robson Conceicao threw 565 punches and landed 27% of his punches. O’Shaquie Foster landed 34% of his energy punches of their first battle. He landed 40% within the rematch (Photograph by Mikey Williams/Prime Rank).
This time, based on CompuBox, Conceicao threw 565 punches and landed 27% of his punches. Foster landed 34% of his energy punches of their first battle. He landed 40% within the rematch. The fighters had been separated by three or fewer landed punches in six of the twelve rounds. Each fighters landed 10 energy punches within the championship rounds within the first battle. This time, Foster landed 30 energy punches over rounds 11 and 12, whereas Conceicao landed 18.
What’s extra is that the judges had been in settlement in seven of the 12 rounds. The 5 rounds that they didn’t agree had been the second (Conceicao 2-1), sixth (Foster 2-1), seventh (Conceicao 2-1), ninth (Foster 2-1) and twelfth (Conceicao 2-1).
“(Conceicao) is a hell of a fighter, he has an enormous coronary heart,” Foster mentioned. “I advised you I used to be going to step it up and convey it him, and that was my purpose. I’m nonetheless not glad with my efficiency, however I really feel I confirmed lots of people my versatility.
“Once I thought he would fade, and I might break him down in sure spots, he discovered some method to survive. Hats off to him.”
Foster needed the rematch, however he didn’t appear to be appearing on it by the primary two rounds. Conceicao (19-3-1, 9 KOs) was the extra energetic fighter, and stored utilizing the suitable to the physique, whereas Foster, who got here out in a standard stance within the first spherical, and a southpaw within the second, was not as energetic.
After two, Conceicao appeared to have a two-round edge, based mostly on exercise.
Within the third, Foster went again to a standard stance. It was Foster’s first high quality spherical. Conceicao landed on 72% of his photographs to the physique, nevertheless it was Foster who landed mixtures and labored by Conceicao’s excessive guard, tapping his head a number of instances.
With 2:20 left within the fifth, it appeared like Foster could have had Conceicao in some hassle, however it might have been extra a case that he was off stability than something Foster did. With 1:06 left within the spherical, Conceicao landed a large, looping proper. Conceicao was in rhythm, utilizing his jab, snapping Foster’s head with clear photographs.
Foster did nothing to counter Conceicao’s assault.
After 5, Foster’s nook had him 3-2, everybody else could have had Conceicao up 4-1.
Throughout the first 20 seconds within the sixth, Conceicao struck Foster with a stable proper, and the instances the fighters acquired shut, Conceicao tied up Foster.
Within the seventh and eighth rounds, Foster had extra hassle pushing again his ponytail than he did coping with Conceicao. However Foster was approaching. His exercise was choosing it up. Referee Mark Nelson warned Conceicao about extreme holding.
Was Conceicao tiring?
Foster had an excellent eighth. He started stepped extra to Conceicao, who had an issue with the stress. After the eighth, Foster’s nook advised him that he would ultimately break Conceicao.
Conceicao, nonetheless, was not about to interrupt. Within the ninth, he went again to the physique, and he started working ranges once more, tapping the physique, and going as much as the top. Conceicao was like a rubber man, slipping, transferring, ducking, and weaving again from Foster.
After Foster had a collection of robust rounds, Conceicao regained management of the battle coming into the tenth.
With simply over a minute left within the tenth, Foster landed an overhand proper to the aspect of Conceicao’s aspect, which wobbled Conceicao. Foster had Conceicao on the defensive, backing up and in some hassle. Foster slammed Conceicao with one other proper to the top.
‘Shock’ with an ELECTRIC proper hand ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/fdCYnTr9m8
— Prime Rank Boxing (@trboxing) November 3, 2024
“I believed I had an opportunity to crack him, however he’s a veteran, these guys are exhausting to cease,” Foster mentioned. “I would like the winner of (WBO junior light-weight titlist Emanuel) Navarrete and Oscar Valdez (Dec. 7). I’ll be there.”
Getting into the championship rounds, it was straightforward to see the battle 5-5. Foster’s nook thought Conceicao was by. On the opposite aspect, Conceicao’s nook was asking their fighter if he was okay, sensing some cracks surfacing.
Foster started the eleventh in the midst of the ring, declaring his superiority. Early within the spherical, Foster linked with a proper, and recoiled, shaking his proper hand as if he could have damage himself.
Conceicao was not prepared to budge. He continued to work the physique, whereas Foster was turning Conceicao and countering him. Foster stored chopping Conceicao to the physique, connecting with a proper uppercut. Conceicao, seemingly drained, leaned on Foster attempting to smother his photographs.
Foster was given express directions coming into the final spherical: “Put him on his ass.”
Conceicao began the final spherical properly, however within the first 30 seconds, Foster landed a proper. Conceicao didn’t permit Foster to open up, as soon as once more smothering him. Nelson, after the eighth spherical, continued to let Conceicao maintain.
Conceicao could not have had something on his punches, however he was touchdown. Conceicao was lowered to throwing one punch at a time, whereas Foster raised his arms pondering he gained.
“The battle was robust, and it was shut, however I believed I did a great job,” Conceicao mentioned. “For me, he is an effective fighter, and I do know he has an amazing story. If he accepts the rematch, like I accepted the rematch, he ought to present that very same quantity of respect. Proper now, we’re 1-1.”
Joseph Santoliquito is an award-winning sportswriter who has been working for Ring Journal/RingTV.com since October 1997 and is the president of the Boxing Writers Affiliation of America.
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