As the debate over their first encounter remains intense, Robson Conceição and O'Shaquie Foster are wasting no time running it back.
Conceição will defend his WBC junior lightweight world title against Foster on Saturday, November 2, at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York. Conceição dethroned Foster via split decision in a fiercely contested matchup in July.
“Conceição and Foster are eager to prove themselves following their initial fight,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “This rematch is about setting things straight. Both want to show who the better man is, which will make for an exciting, competitive matchup, with the winner positioning himself for a chance at a unification bout.”
Conceição (19-2-1, 9 KOs), Brazil's first Olympic boxing gold medalist, turned professional in November 2016. His losses have been to unbeaten world champions, suffering a narrow points defeat to then-WBC champ Oscar Valdez in September 2021 and a loss to Shakur Stevenson in a bid for two world titles one year later. After a no contest against Nicolas Polanco in June 2023, Conceição fought then-WBO champion Emanuel Navarrete to a majority draw that November. In April, he stopped Jose Guardado in seven rounds. Motivated by his perseverance to win Olympic gold on his third attempt, Conceição captured world title glory on his fourth try.
Conceição said: "I'm fully focused and ready for my first title defence. Every fight is a new opportunity to prove myself, and on November 2, I’ll step into the ring with the same determination and hunger that brought me here. I respect O'Shaquie Foster, but I will show why I’m the true champion. My team and I have worked tirelessly, and I’m confident our efforts will be rewarded again. Foster, don’t run in the ring! See you in Verona!"
Foster (23-3, 12 KOs) turned pro in 2012 following a decorated amateur career with over 100 fights and an alternate spot on the U.S. Olympic team. After early-career setbacks, including a split decision to Rolando Chinea in July 2016, he mounted a successful resurgence under the guidance of trainer Bobby Benton. Foster then went on a 12-fight winning streak, capturing the WBC crown with a points triumph over Rey Vargas in February 2023 and defending it on enemy turf with a thrilling 12th-round stoppage of Rocky Hernandez last October. Foster made the second defense of his strap by decisioning Nova in February.
Foster said: “I can't wait for November 2. I'm ready to go out there and make a statement. That bad decision woke something up in me, and now all I can think about is the ‘get back.’ I want to thank everybody who pushed for the right thing to be done. Now the focus is to become a two-time champion.”
Conceição will defend his WBC junior lightweight world title against Foster on Saturday, November 2, at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York. Conceição dethroned Foster via split decision in a fiercely contested matchup in July.
“Conceição and Foster are eager to prove themselves following their initial fight,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “This rematch is about setting things straight. Both want to show who the better man is, which will make for an exciting, competitive matchup, with the winner positioning himself for a chance at a unification bout.”
Conceição (19-2-1, 9 KOs), Brazil's first Olympic boxing gold medalist, turned professional in November 2016. His losses have been to unbeaten world champions, suffering a narrow points defeat to then-WBC champ Oscar Valdez in September 2021 and a loss to Shakur Stevenson in a bid for two world titles one year later. After a no contest against Nicolas Polanco in June 2023, Conceição fought then-WBO champion Emanuel Navarrete to a majority draw that November. In April, he stopped Jose Guardado in seven rounds. Motivated by his perseverance to win Olympic gold on his third attempt, Conceição captured world title glory on his fourth try.
Conceição said: "I'm fully focused and ready for my first title defence. Every fight is a new opportunity to prove myself, and on November 2, I’ll step into the ring with the same determination and hunger that brought me here. I respect O'Shaquie Foster, but I will show why I’m the true champion. My team and I have worked tirelessly, and I’m confident our efforts will be rewarded again. Foster, don’t run in the ring! See you in Verona!"
Foster (23-3, 12 KOs) turned pro in 2012 following a decorated amateur career with over 100 fights and an alternate spot on the U.S. Olympic team. After early-career setbacks, including a split decision to Rolando Chinea in July 2016, he mounted a successful resurgence under the guidance of trainer Bobby Benton. Foster then went on a 12-fight winning streak, capturing the WBC crown with a points triumph over Rey Vargas in February 2023 and defending it on enemy turf with a thrilling 12th-round stoppage of Rocky Hernandez last October. Foster made the second defense of his strap by decisioning Nova in February.
Foster said: “I can't wait for November 2. I'm ready to go out there and make a statement. That bad decision woke something up in me, and now all I can think about is the ‘get back.’ I want to thank everybody who pushed for the right thing to be done. Now the focus is to become a two-time champion.”
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