Robson Conceição and O’Shaquie Foster are officially set to run it back.
Their long-rumored rematch is confirmed for Nov. 2 on ESPN+ from Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York. The bout will come five months after Conceição won a highly questionable split decision to claim the WBC 130-pound title.
“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.”
Brazil’s Conceição (19-2-1, 9 knockouts) nabbed a major title on his fourth try, however few people agreed with the means. The three-time Olympian and 2016 Gold medalist dethroned Foster (22-3, 12 KOs) on July 6 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Most observers believed that Foster did enough to where he should have retained his title for the third time. Only one judge agreed with that viewpoint, while two of the three cards landed in favor of Conceição.
“I’m fully focused and ready for my first title defense,” stated Conceição. “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 was already at a disadvantage when he first defended the belt last Oct. 28. A dramatic 12th round knockout of Eduardo ‘Rocky’ Hernandez came on the road in Cancun, Mexico. The DAZN card was staged by Matchroom Boxing, Hernandez’s promoter. Foster overcame all odds to retain the belt, eight months after he outpointed Rey Vargas on a PBC show in San Antonio, Texas.
Following the win over Hernandez, Foster signed a promotional contract with Top Rank. His first fight under that banner came in a Feb. 16 points win over Abraham Nova (23-3, 16 KOs). However, he was considered highly unlucky to not repeat the fight versus Conceição.
“I can’t wait for November 2,” insisted Foster. “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.”
UNDERCARD ACTION
Also confirmed for the show, rising lightweight contender Raymond Muratalla (21-0, 16 KOs) faces Jesus Perez (25-5, 18 KOs) in a ten-round bout.
Nova reappears in a ten-round junior lightweight scrap versus Mexico’s Humberto Galindo (14-3-2, 11 KOs).
Locally based Bryce Mills (16-1, 5 KOs)—from nearby Liverpool—meets faded former title challenger Henry ‘Hank’ Lundy (32-14-1, 14 KOs) in an eight-round junior welterweight contest.
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The post Robson Conceição-O’Shaquie Foster Rematch Confirmed, Nov. 2 In Verona, New York appeared first on The Ring.
