A pair of cards on ESPN+ and DAZN (promoted by Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions) took place on Saturday night. Here are some thoughts on what took place...
- The main event at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, New York was the rematch between Robson Conceicao and O'Shaquie Foster. They met back in July with Conceicao winning a controversial split decision to take the WBC 130-pound title from Foster. There was enough of an uproar that the WBC mandated an immediate rematch.
Truthfully, while it was an unpopular decision, it wasn't the worst you'll ever see. Tim Bradley, who called the action for ESPN implored Foster to leave no doubt this time around. Foster promised that he would. And for the most part he did on Saturday night but what made this fight a much more entertaining affair than their initial match-up was that Conceicao also fought with more vigor
Mikey Williams/Top Rank
What took place was a hard-fought, tightly contested 12 round battle. This time around it was Foster getting his hand raised in victory by the scores of 115-113, 113-115 and 115-113. That's how close this contest was. “I told y'all I was gonna step it up and bring it to him. That was my goal. I still ain’t satisfied with my performance, but I felt like I showed a lot of people my versatility," said Foster.
O'Shaquie Foster Gets Belt Back In ANOTHER Close One | FIGHT HIGHLIGHTSMake no doubt about it, this was a huge victory for Foster because he's a guy that needs a major belt around his waist to make the kind of money he wants, and get the fights he yearns for at junior lightweight. There are some who tell you that the belts are meaningless. Oh yeah, tell that to guys like Foster. The bottom line is because he has that WBC belt back in his possession, he'll be in a different tax bracket for the time being.
Mikey Williams/Top Rank
Foster makes it clear who he wants next.
“I want the winner of Emanuel Navarrete versus Oscar Valdez.”
- This card also featured lightweight contender, Raymond Muratalla, who blew out the usually durable Jesus Perez in two rounds. Muratalla's precision power was on display in this bout. He floored Perez twice in round two, and then hurt him again, prompting referee, Charlie Fitch, to wave off the bout.
Raymond Muratalla Gets The KO In Only TWO Rounds | FIGHT HIGHLIGHTS
It's the type of effort that the decision makers at Top Rank were looking for. Muratalla, is the kind of guy who speaks softly and carries a big stick but has frustrated some with his inconsistent performances. Sometimes he'll look downright dominant, and at others be downright desultory. This was one of those efforts that has you believing he can compete with almost anyone in the division. As you look at the ratings, he second in both the WBO and WBC.
Mikey Williams/Top Rank
At age 27, it's time to find out what he's really all about. My view is that only Shakur Stevenson and Tank Davis would be clear favorites over him. (And for now, I consider Vasiliy Lomachenko retired)
"I’m asking for these title shots, and they haven’t given them to me. So, tonight I proved that I deserve it. I want any of the champions," said Muratalla.
- Meanwhile at the Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, Floyd Schofield faced Rene Tellez Giron in a scheduled 12 rounder. If you ask Schofield's father, he'll tell you that he's ready for the likes of Stevenson and Davis, or anyone else for that matter at 135.
I just don't see it (yet).
Cris Esqueda/GBP
What I see is an athletic young man with some speed and quickness, but has some glaring technical flaws and might be a tad chinny. Schofield was buzzed in the third by Giron, and was knocked down in the 11th round. He's not running in with his chin up in the air as much as he did before, but Schofield still looks a bit squared up. This is a fighter with some tools but also a lot of rough edges technically.
Yes, he's just 22. But keep this in mind, he may not be treated like a prospect but a legitimate contender. Believe it or not, he's rated second by the WBA (whose belt is held by Davis).
Ask yourself this, based on what you saw this weekend, is Schofield ready for that?
