WBC Junior Lightweight Champ O’Shaquie Foster Discusses Upcoming Fight and Journey
In a recent interview with BoxingScene, WBC junior lightweight titleholder O’Shaquie Foster opened up about his July 6 fight against Robson Conceicao, his path from street life to boxing champion, and his aspirations for the future.
Regarding his upcoming opponent, Foster praised Conceicao’s skills, stating, > “I think he’s a great fighter. I have wanted to share the ring with him for a while just because he has been in the ring with the other champions. I think he’s gonna be a great opponent, and [I can] separate myself from certain guys that already faced him.”
He acknowledged Conceicao’s unique right hand, noting, > “He throws a lot of punches from weird angles, but that’s what makes him dangerous.”
Signing with Top Rank has been a significant milestone for Foster, who expressed his newfound freedom to focus solely on training and being the best version of himself. > “I feel that all I got to do is put in the work now. Not so much the mentality of ‘Would they rob me?’ or ‘Would they do this?’ [But] I can just go in and train and be the best that I can be, so it’s great for me being with Top Rank.”
Reflecting on his Top Rank debut against Abraham Nova, Foster admitted to being in his own head due to an undisclosed injury, which impacted his usual mobile and dancing style. > “I had basically torn my plantar fasciitis. So I was compensating a lot for my left foot, and it just made me [stand] more in the pocket. I couldn’t really get loose like I wanted to.” However, he is now fully healthy and eager to showcase his true boxing artistry.
The outcome of the Joe Cordina-Anthony Cacace fight surprised Foster, though he had anticipated it being a close 50-50 matchup. > “Him getting stopped? Yes. Dude winning – no. I said it was a 50-50 fight. Because, like I said, I was basically in talks with [Cacace], so I had already studied him. I saw that he did some things that will give people problems, and he is tall.”
When asked about a potential future fight with Shakur Stevenson, Foster acknowledged the possibility, stating, > “it could be. I could see it, unless, when I go to 135, he move up to 140 – and that keeps happening.” However, his immediate focus is on unification fights, naming Oscar Valdez and Anthony Cacace as potential opponents.
Foster’s journey from street life to boxing champion has been arduous, but he has learned to minimize the risks and stay focused on his craft. > “I just erased myself from those kinds of situations. I try to stay in the gym, have my fun as far as going to the city and hanging out with my family and stuff like that. Outside of that, you really are not going to see me doing too much. I try to keep it real low-key.”
As he prepares for his fight against Robson Conceicao on July 6, O’Shaquie Foster is determined to solidify his place as a dominant force in the junior lightweight division and potentially pursue undisputed status or a move up to lightweight in the near future.
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