O'shaquie foster

O'Shaquie Foster Inks Deal with Top Rank

Orange, Texas native and WBC Super Featherweight world champion "Ice Water" O'shaquie Foster is the front-runner for Fighter of the Year. He is likely the leader in the clubhouse for a round of the year and fight of the year for his war with Eduardo Hernandez, as well as performance of the year for his dominant win and upset over Ray Vargas at the Alamodome. He now is a bit richer after inking a multi-year deal with Top Rank.

“I’m excited to be part of the Top Rank and ESPN family. Top Rank has shaped the careers of many of the greatest fighters whom I look up to even to this day, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to fight on ESPN. I can’t wait to step into the ring and show that I am the best fighter in the world.” Foster explained.

Top Rank has done a tremendous job in the past, matching their top fighters against each other. The climax of this contract would be a unification fight with fan favorite and reigning WBO 130-pound world title holder Emanuel Navarrete. Navarrete will have to survive a very tough challenge Thursday Night in Las Vegas against Gold Medalist Robson Conceicao from Brazil. Foster established himself as the best 130-pounder in the world with his two wins this year but has had trouble securing big fights and the big paydays that go along with them. His last fight with Hernendez was a Matchroom fight that aired on DAZN when Eddie Hearn won the purse bid. In addition, Navarrete Top Rank also promotes undefeated prospect Henry Lebron and former world champion Oscar Valdez. Either fight would represent a big fight for Foster, as would former champ Jamel Herring, who still has a working relationship with Top Rank but is promoted by Lou Dibella. Herring called out Foster after his win last week in NYC and seems like a makeable fight if both promoters are willing to work together.

“King Shock is Back in Action” in Enemy Territory

Orange native O'Shaquie Foster's life story reads like a Hollywood movie script. That script is about to get another chapter "The Title Run!" Foster won the WBC Super Featherweight World title in February with a "Performance of the Year" type performance by beating down Rey Vargas at the Alamodome. He will now make his first title defense against Eduardo "Rocky" Hernandez in Cancun, Mexico on October 28th. Discussions with IBF 130-pound champ Joe Cordina for a possible unification bout fell through/ Foster and his team then  came to terms to fight Hernandez, his mandatory challenger. Hernandez is a native of Mexico City, Mexico and now resides in Las Vegas, Nevada. The rugged Mexican challenger sports a 34-1 (31) record and has won six straight fights, most notably against Laredo native Jorge Castaneda via first-round TKO in Mexico last year. He last suffered defeat at the hands of Roger Gutierrez in 2019 via first-round TKO at the "Punch Bowl '' on the undercard of Rey Vargas-Tomoki Kameda and last fought Hector Garcia Montes back in July and scored a third-round TKO, also in Mexico. 

Eddie Hearn, Chairman of Matchroom Promotions, secured the fight via purse bids last month, meaning Matchroom will be the promoter and the fight will air live on Dazn.

Foster- Cordina unification Talks Heat Up.

Orange, Texas native " Ice Water" O'shaquie Foster has a story that reads like a Hollywood script. That script reached a climax back in February in San Antonio when Foster gave the "Performance of the Year" in outpointing and dominating two-division world champ Rey Vargas to capture the WBC strap. The story is just getting started as Foster, who is generally considered the best 130-pounder in the world, starts his world title reign. Foster has always had a difficult time securing big fights. However, he may be on the verge of landing the mega-fight that has long escaped him. According to Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Boxing boss, he has met with Keith Mills, advisor of Foster, and the two are in talks for a date later this year. When asked if it was possible for the fight to happen this year, Hearn responded with a "Yes, we are in talks." Cordina has expressed interest in the unification fight, and Foster and his team have prioritized the unification bout with Cordina, who holds the IBF super featherweight title. Mills, who is in New Orleans with Foster for the Regis Prograis-Danielito Zorrilla WBC 140-pound clash said, "This is why we are here to try and make this fight, not just to cheer on Prograis [who are stablemates]" Foster doubled down on the sentiment of his manager " saying "That's the fight we want." referring to the Cordina unification clash. Hearn did express some issues in making the fight, explaining "Foster isn't the biggest name, and he is a really good fighter." Suggesting that a Foster fight is a high-risk, low reward for his fighter Cordina. However, the two are alleged to meet and try to iron out some details for a potential unification scrap later in 2023. Foster may also have to take a mandatory bout with Eduardo "Rocky" Hernandez. Hernandez is also represented by Hearn.

O'Shaquie Foster is a Promotional Free Agent, Wants Cordina Unification Bout.

Newly minted WBC Super Featherweight champion "Ice Water" O'shaquie Foster of Orange is a promotional free agent and wants to unify with newly minted IBF champ Joe Cordina of Cardiff, Wales. Cordina won the IBF belt that he was forced to vacate due to a broken hand in late 2022 when he outboxed Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov in Cardiff back on April 22nd. The East Texas native has just informed Bad Left Hook that he is no longer signed with Probellum and is now a promotional free agent. He said he is free to sign with anyone and fight anyone of his choosing.

Foster, who captured his world title at the Alamodome back in February when he dominated Rey Vargas over 12 lopsided rounds, has been calling out the IBF champ for the past few days. Foster has expressed openness and interest in talking to both PBC and Matchroom in attempts to make unification bouts and the biggest fights in the division. Cordina fights under the Matchroom banner which is run by Eddie Hearn, who has not only had massive success in the Lone Star State but has also called the Texas Commission "the best in the united states" and "one of the best in the world" Making a Foster-Cordina unification bout for later this year in Texas a very, real possibility. The Orange native added he is willing to go over to the UK to make the fight as well. "I am ready to take over the division,” he told Bad Left Hook. “I am more than happy to travel to the UK to face Joe Cordina, but only if they pay me – the money has to be right.” The WBC champ said. 

Cordina expressed mutual interest in the fight. Cordina took to Twitter and replied to a Tweet from 3DBoxingblog and said "...I just fought a week ago let me have a little bit of time with my family. The fight will happen, just relax."

A New Champ a Former Champ and A future Champ Shine in the Alamodome

"Ice Water" O'Shaquie Foster has a backstory that reads like a Hollywood script. From touted blue-chip prospect to two ShoBox losses in eight months to splitting with his promoter to a prison sentence. To resurgence and then, ultimate redemption and winning a world title against Rey Vargas, a former two-division world champ, in his home state. Foster may be the best 130-pounder in the world, and he most likely is. Those skills, reflexes, and ring IQ were on full display in Alamo City. As the 29-year-old, Orange native dominated from start to finish. Foster boxed brilliantly throughout the 12-round affair. Dominating the opening with just a jab. Dictating the pace, and getting in position to land while avoiding Vargas's heavy artillery. The opening few rounds were the same story Foster, the quicker sharper fighter would land in short combinations and Vargas would swing at air. Controlling the action early, the Texan began getting a bit more aggressive and started firing with right hands that started landing with laser-like precision, one in particular, staggered the former world champ at the end of the second round. Hitting and not getting hit, Foster remained in control throughout most of the middle rounds. However, Vargas began battling back and had his best moment in the ninth with a straight right that landed about midway through the round. The moment was short-lived as Ice Water seized control of the fight again scoring with left hooks in the final minute of the 10th that completely halted the temporary momentum put together by Vargas. Foster remained in control and the Hollywood script was completed. Foster Captured the vacant WBC title and responded by saying, “Man, it feels great. Man, this journey been crazy.” The final tallies were 119-109,117-111, and 116-112, all for the East Texan.

In the co-main event was the comeback of one of San Antonio's favorite sons, "El Azteca" Mario Barrios. Barrios became the first of the current crop of Alamo Citr fighters to capture a world title which he did back in 2019 when he outpointed Batyr Akhmedov. Barrios bounced back nicely off of his two-fight losing streak and secured his first win since Halloween 2021 when he stopped Milan, Texas native Ryan Karl, also in the Alamodome.

A new look Barrios sported a Misfits tattoo and a new trainer in Bob Santos, and the new, more offensive and aggressive Barrios was on display immediately against Jovanie Santiago. As Barrios was applying pressure, jabbing, and firing off right hands backing his opponent up. He would then fire off a barrage of body shots that began taking its toll. By the sixth round, it became abundantly clear that Santiago was a sitting duck and not going to get through the 10-round affair. The beatdown continued into the seventh as Santiago was showing effects from the culmination of power shots and began backing down. Barrios jumped on his wounded opponent like a dog on fear. Santiago finally went down a minute into the eighth after getting hit by a left hook to the body. Santiago, tough as nails, was able to get up and continue. However, El Azteca slammed on the gas and unleashed another flurry of shots as the referee waved off the bout giving Barrios his first win in over two years and putting him back on track to regaining a world title and becoming a two-division world champion. Barrios moved to 6-0 (5) in his home city and 10-0 overall in the Lone Star State.

In a preliminary bout, our number one prospect to watch in 2023 kicked the new year off in spectacular fashion! "The Unkown Warrior" Fabian Diaz of Edinburg scored his second consecutive first-round KO moving his record to 4-0 (2). Diaz spent the opening moments of the fight working behind a snappy jab and looking to set up his power shots, the right hand in particular. Just past the one-minute mark, Diaz landed a right uppercut that staggered his opponent Eleazar Mendietta. Diaz then scored with a right hand to the body that hurt his opponent. The instructions flew in from the Rio Grande Valley native's corner that, "He's done!... Knock him out." The Unknown warrior obliged and scored with a barrage of power shots. Scoring with one overhand right after another and putting in a left hook here and there just for good measure. With just under a minute to go in the opening round Diaz wound up on a right hand that sent Mendietta reeling across the ring. The Unkown Warrior kept on the gas and kept on firing until the referee came in and called a halt to the bout after a perfectly placed uppercut from the RGV native about took his head off.

O'shaquie Foster to Get Long Awaited World Title Shot in San Antonio

"Ice Water" O'shaquie Foster has had an odd, strange, climb to the top. However, the cream always rises to the top and the man from Orange, Texas, who seemed destined for greatness is now on the verge of a world title. 

Multiple sources have reported that Foster will take on former two-division world champion Rey Vargas for the vacant WBC 130-pound world title. On February 11th in Foster's home state of Texas at the Alamodome. Vargas has held the WBC world titles at both 122 and 126. Vargas sports a perfect 36-0 (22) record

It will be the first world title fight for Foster, who has perhaps the best skills in the division but suffered two setbacks early in his career. Foster shockingly lost twice in an eight-month span over 2015-2016. Dropping close decisions to Samuel Teah and  Rolando Chinea at higher weight classes. Since the second loss and moving down to the 130-pound weight limit the Texan has had a resurgence and won nine fights in a row. He has picked up victories over the likes of  Alberto Mercado, and Miguel Roman, and most recently back in March he picked up a lopsided UD over Muhammadkhuja Yaqubov, in Dubai. 

Foster will be fighting in his home state of Texas for the first time since 2019 when he scored a third-round stoppage of  Fatiou Fassinou at the Civic Center in Beaumont. 

O'Shaquie Foster to Fight Rey Vargas for Vacant WBC Belt

Orange, Texas, is a small town of about 20,000 on the Sabine River near the Louisiana border. An hour and a half or so from Houston. It was best known for being home to all-pro Free Safety and Super Bowl champ Earl Thomas who also played for the Texas Longhorns from 2007-2009. The little town may now become the city of champions as fellow Orange native O'shaquie "Ice Water" Foster is on the verge of a world title. Foster is 29 years old and currently sports a 19-2 (11) record. It's been a wild ride for Foster, who was once one of the sport's top young prospects. His momentum was derailed after suffering two losses in eight months in 2015-16. He has bounced back in championship form winning nine consecutive fights, including picking up wins over Muhammadkhuja Yaqubov, Miguel Roman, and Jon Fernandez of Spain. He is now just one small step away from becoming a world champion.

Today WBC's Board of Governors unanimously approved the petition from current WBC featherweight champion, Rey Vargas, to fight for the vacant super featherweight title against Foster, the mandatory contender and silver champion. The world title became vacant last month when Shakur Stevenson vacated it on the scale when he missed weight before his title defense against Robson Conceição.

Vargas currently holds the WBC featherweight title and has a record of 36-0 (22). He has held world titles at both 122 and 126. He last fought in July and outpointed Mark Magsayo to capture the WBC 126-pound world title.

Texas Pound for Pound List

1.Errol Spence -DeSoto

2.Jermell Charlo-Houston

3.Bam Rodriguez- San Antonio

4.Jermall Charlo-Houston

5.Brandon Figueroa- Weslaco

6.Vergil Ortiz -Grand Prairie

7.Josh Franco-San Antonio

8.O'shaquie Foster- Orange

9. Mario Barrios -San Antonio

10.Adrian Taylor-Dallas

Honorable Mention

Maurice Hooker-Dallas

Hector Tanajara- San Antonio

Omar Juarez- Brownsville

Rick Medina- San Antonio

Jorge Castaneda -Laredo

Edward Vazquez- Fort Worth

Alex Rincon- Carrollton