On July 6 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, Robson Conceicao won the WBC junior lightweight title in a controversial decision over O'Shaquie Foster. It was a verdcit that was widely panned by the viewing public. The immediate rematch takes place this Saturday night at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, New York.
Bob Arum, the founder of Bob Arum, who has a vested interest in both boxers, said of their initial match-up, "It could've gone either way. Conceicao threw more punches, but maybe Foster landed more. But who knows, it was a very, very close fight."
According to him, what really amplified the public outrage was the ESPN broadcast.
Mikey Williams/Top Rank
"They're listening to the commentators, listening to (Tim) Bradley talk about that and the other guy (Joe Tessitore). They had Foster way ahead,'' Arum said to SNAC.com on Wednesday.
Bradley makes it clear that while he still feels as though Foster was the clear winner back in the summer, he can see why some had the bout much closer than he did. He was compelled to re-watch the bout he says, "because I had several boxing guys that watched it and were saying' Well, Foster wasn't doing too much. Like he would counter here and there, he would throw a jab but he was backing up all night. He's being forced on his back foot.'
"I said, 'I hear you, I hear you. But a lot of those shots that Conceicao was throwing weren't landing' and they said, 'I understand that, but they don't have to land, it was the volume versus the pot-shotting. The volume and the pressing forward influenced these judges, who in my opinion, are rookies."
Tony Lundy (116-112) and Paul Wallace (115-113) who both favored Conceicao are judges who have been around for awhile, but are inexperienced in terms of the number of world title fights they have presided over. (Ron McNair had Foster winning by the tally of 116-112)
Mikey Williams/Top Rank
Bradley conceded, "I still felt that Foster won the fight but I can see what the judges were looking at because Conceicao was pressing forward and he was throwing combinations. A lot of the stuff was missing but it was hitting him on the arms, it was hitting him in the chest occasionally, it went to the body. And when you have 'rookie' judges they're not sitting there saying, 'that's a clean shot'.
"They see one guy doing a lot of work and another guy not doing enough work -- and that was Foster."
The Hall-of-Famer turned broadcaster, holds no grudge towards Arum. He understands that this is part of the job in calling fights.
"It's Bob's opinion but I still think Foster clearly out-boxed him and won the fight when I was sitting there live. But it's on TV, it's a different view. Many people on TV felt that Foster was winning as well and thought it was a landslide, because again, those punches aren't landing. But I do get it, and I get it because Foster didn't counter enough."
It's interesting to note that despite the official decision, Ring Magazine still has Foster ranked second in their 130-pound ratings, while Conceicao is listed at number eight. But Bradley implores Foster to do much more if he wants to regain his WBC belt.
Mikey Williams/Top Rank
"They say that the challenger has to take the title from the champion. That's the phrase that's used a lot but what about the champion defending his title?," stated Bradley, who was no stranger to defending championships. "There were plenty of opportunities for him to counter and do more. But that's Foster M.O. As you know, someone's character, their nature, the way they are, their mentality -- and he's calm, cool and collected -- that's their demeanor in the ring."
HUGE Upset! Robson Conceicao Takes The Belt From O'Shaquie Foster | FIGHT HIGHLIGHTS
Foster in his view has to be more aggressive in his overall approach to things in this rematch. If he would've stepped on the gas instead of going into cruise control, Foster would have left no doubt back in July.
"In his mind -- and in my mind -- he's comfortably winning this fight, but he could've done more to secure the victory," said Bradley. "If it's that easy, go for the kill. Don't lay back. He laid back, he got complacent. He thought everything was in the bag. He felt like he didn't have to work harder, he felt it was so easy. Well, if it's that easy take that man out. Don't leave it in the judges hands because things like this can happen."
Mikey Williams/Top Rank
Should Foster heed Bradley's advice, we might get a much better fight this time around.
"Yeah, because the first fight was sh*tty, it was boring," stated the always blunt, Bradley. "I'm not going to lie, I was about to fall asleep. I was like, 'What kinda sh*t is this?" But I expect a better fight from Foster, If Foster wants his belt, he's going to have to counter more."
In his view, it's not just enough for Foster to make Conceicao miss, he has to also make him pay for it.
"People get it confused, guys think, 'Oh, I got Floyd Mayweather defense, I don't have to counter.' Floyd had offense and defense, they misconstrued that. So let your hands go, Foster. Don't leave food on the table. He left a lot of food on the table (the first time)."
3KR
Here is this week's edition of 'the 3 Knockdown Rule' with Mario Lopez and myself:
THE 3 KNOCKDOWN RULE EPISODE 65 | CATTERALL-PROGRAIS
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FINAL FLURRIES
The card in (my) Verona will be streamed on ESPN+ starting at approximately 5:50 pm, ET/2:50 pm, PT. The co-feature (Raymond Muratalla-Jesus Perez) will air around 10 pm, ET/ 7 pm, PT....Meanwhile on DAZN, they will have a Golden Boy Promotions card that will feature lightweight prospect, Floyd Schofield....Regis Prograis has made it clear that he will not be retiring...Wonder what kind of clap back Oscar De La Hoya has this week?....I can be reached at k9kim@yahoo.com....
