WBC junior lightweight champion Robson Conceicao makes his first title defense against the fighter he won the strap from just four months ago when he battles O’Shaquie Foster on November 2 in New York. If the rematch is anything like the initial bout fans are in for a treat. Conceicao stunned the champ in that fight with a controversial split decision that pundits are still debating about. Many felt Foster was the rightful winner and this is a chance for the boxing world to set things straight.
Conceicao’s only two professional defeats were to undefeated world champions at the time. He dropped unanimous decisions to Oscar Valdez in 2021 and Shakur Stevenson a year later. Those two were part of a five-fight stretch where he won just once, earning a draw and no-contest in two others. Foster had won 12 in a row before the controversial setback in July. The former champ opened as a -425 favorite in the rematch with the current champ catching odds of +315.
Robson Conceicao vs. O'Shaquie Foster Betting Odds
Robson Conceicao +315
O’Shaquie Foster -425
The 12-round junior lightweight title fight between WBC champ Robson Conceicao ( 19-2-1, 9 KOs ) and O’Shaquie Foster ( 22-3, 12 KOs) is scheduled to take place on Saturday, November 2, 2024 at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, NY. The fight will stream live on ESPN+.
Robson Conceicao vs. O'Shaquie Foster Fight Preview
It had to happen and the boxing world is glad that it did. Following the questionable scoring in the first bout there was no alternative but a rematch. In what was described as a boring fight, Foster was on the offensive more and landed the few punches that he took. A rare burst by Conceicao in the middle rounds may have swayed the two judges that scored in his favor, but it was hardly enough to justify a world championship.
So, what happens next? Well, for Foster he needs to return to the fiery style that earned him the strap in the first place. Taking on WBC featherweight champ Rey Vargas for the vacant WBC junior lightweight title in February 2023, Foster scored a dominant unanimous decision by landing nearly 50 more total punches with a wide discrepancy in power punches. He defended the title with a 12th round TKO of Eduardo Hernandez eight months later.
Foster again successfully defended his title with a split decision over Abraham Nova for his 12th consecutive victory. Maybe he got complacent during the streak winning bouts routinely without much resistance. The Nova fight might have been the start of a downturn since it was the only one in his streak that split the judges. We then saw his lackluster performance in the first fight with Conceicao. “I’m ready to go out there and make a statement. That bad decision woke something up in me,” Foster said ahead of this fight.
Conceicao certainly deserves to be fighting for world titles. He’s the first Brazilian to win Olympic gold and his only two professional losses were to unbeaten world champions. He lost a close points battle to then WBC champ Oscar Valdez in September 2021 and was a huge underdog in a UD to Shakur Stevenson a year later.
It took a while for Conceicao to get another world title shot and it almost didn’t happen after a no-contest when Nicolas Polanco failed to answer the bell following an accidental head butt. Later in 2023 he battled then WBO champ Emanuel Navarrete to a majority draw. He got back in the win column in April with a seventh round TKO of Jose Ivan Guardado Ortiz.
Bet Robson Conceicao vs. O'Shaquie Foster
Three fights in seven months is a lot to ask of any boxer and that’s what’s facing Conceicao. It’s a short turnaround for both fighters with the first tussle taking place four months ago. I guess the lack of energy in that bout will serve both fighters well ahead of this one. I have to say that in recent fights the champ hasn’t been overly impressive. He did lose to two legends and had a draw against a three-division champ, so the competition was stiff. From a skill standpoint the edge goes to Foster and with the controversy surrounding the first fight still fresh I believe the former champ will respond to reclaim the belt.
Boxing Odds Pick: O’Shaquie Foster / Decision
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