Junior light-weight titleholder O’Shaquie Foster had a troublesome time making the 130-pound restrict going into his break up choice victory over Abraham Nova on Friday in New York, which might imply he’s not lengthy for the division.
Nonetheless, he mentioned he has some enterprise to maintain first. He needs not less than a couple of extra massive fights at 130 earlier than he makes the transfer to 135.
“I’ll ultimately be going to 135,” he mentioned after his victory. “However I’m going to attempt to get a pair extra fights at 130. Like I mentioned I’m going to attempt to rent a nutritionist to do it higher subsequent time. It positively affected my power within the combat.”
So what potential opponents does he take into account?
The WBC champion is focusing on fellow beltholders Lamont Roach (WBA) and Emanuel Navarrete (WBO), in addition to another massive names within the division.
“I’ll take the winner of Liam Wilson [and Oscar Valdez on March 29],” he mentioned, per Struggle Hub TV. “Or if we will get Lamont Roach. I do know [Emanuel] Navarrete goes to 135 … but when he comes again, I’m keen to try this too.”
Foster (22-2, 12 KOs) may be required to face comparatively unknown WBC obligatory challenger Muhammadkhuja Yaqubov (21-1, 11 KOs) of Tajikistan quickly.
Foster defeated Yaqubov by a one-sided choice in March 2022, after which Yaqubov has received three consecutive fights.
“If it’s obligatory and I’ve to, I’ll take it. It’s cool,” he mentioned. “I beat the man, Yaqubov. I’d slightly combat a Wilson or Oscar Valdez. But when I’ve to, I’ll fulfill my obligatory.”
One titleholder that doesn’t look like in Foster’s plans is Joe Cordina (IBF). Foster expressed curiosity in going through Cordina however the British fighter mentioned he needs to face an opponent towards whom he might earn more money.
“Man, they’d their probability,” Foster mentioned, referring to Cordina. “I used to be open for it. If it’s nonetheless obtainable, I’m with it, however I ain’t going to be chasing no one.”
Foster bought off to a gradual begin towards Nova (23-2, 16 KOs) within the second protection of the belt he received by outpointing Rey Vargas in February of final yr however discovered his rhythm within the center rounds and managed the combat down the stretch.
He put Nova down with a left hook with about 20 seconds remaining within the combat to clinch the victory. Replays appeared to substantiate Nova went down from the punch however he mentioned he slipped.
Foster wasn’t shopping for that model of occasions.
“Oh man, he’s delusional,” he mentioned. “It was a knockdown for certain. If I did stuff the precise method, there would’ve been a number of knockdowns. I used to be dashing stuff, I used to be making an attempt to land an excessive amount of energy. It’s on me.”
Foster may have a possibility to enhance in a excessive profile combat quickly.
