Robson Conceicao vs. O'Shaquie Foster 2: Fight prediction, odds, undercard, start time, where to watch

While there are multiple words and/or levels in professional boxing to describe controversial decisions – everything from controversial to outright corrupt – former junior lightweight titleholder O'Shaquie Foster can only use one to describe his shocking July loss to Robson Conceicao describe.

“I consider it one of the biggest robberies in recent years,” Foster told CBS Sports last week. “Whatever people want to call it, it is what it is. Honestly, I think it was just incompetent judges in my eyes.”

According to CompuBox, Foster (22-3, 12 KOs) outscored his opponent, 2016 Olympic champion Conceicao, by a margin of 109-76. But it may have been the activity of Conceicao (19-2-1, 9 KOs), which ultimately convinced two of the judges when he attempted 266 more punches than Foster (116-112, 112-116) en route to a split decision victory. , 115-113), which stunned almost everyone in attendance at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

On Saturday, the 31-year-old Foster will get a second chance to regain his WBC 130-pound title when he meets the 36-year-old Conceicao in a rematch on a top-ranked card at the Turning Stone Resort in Verona, New York .

“I don't know if it was sadness, but I was so angry that I wanted it [immediately] “Get it back,” Foster said. “I wanted to know why. I'm not going to lie, I was so angry bro. I was so angry. I think after a few days to a week I enjoyed it so much that it actually made me much more popular afterward than before. Things started to change and I started to see it more positively.

In the wake of the highly controversial defeat, Foster not only found a silver lining in how much goodwill he received from the boxing world after tearfully trying to come to terms with what happened in Houston, Texas in the post-fight interview, also believes that the reality of defeat has forced him to examine his own style more closely in order to avoid a repeat of the result.

“I know it took me to another level,” Foster said. “It took me to a new level where I just wanted to show everything I could do. I could fight one style in these fights and I will win these fights. So it says, 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it.' “Now it has taken me to another level where I can show the world everything that I am trying to maximize my talents.

“We will be more active. I want to come over and put on a show.”

While Foster's opinion of the outcome of the first fight seems to agree with most observers that evening, Conceicao still fully agrees with the judges and believes Foster's inactivity down the stretch ultimately cost him.

From Conceicao's perspective, his win over Foster becomes all the more justified when he thinks back to two of his closest fights to date – a 2021 decision loss to Oscar Valdez and a majority draw against Emanuel Navarrete last November – both of which he believes were scored incorrectly.

“This fight is personal to me because I feel like a champion is a fighter who goes out there and doesn't walk around, who looks for the fight, who tries to win and doesn't just throw one or two punches and then move away.” said Conceicao at this week's final press conference. “It's actually happened to me before, with Oscar Valdez and Emanuel Navarrete. I haven't had the luck on those nights, but I always go in with the desire to fight “Have to fight someone.” This means against me for the second time.

The defeat for Foster ended a twelve-fight winning streak that completely transformed his career after two early defeats at the junior level. Foster outclassed Rey Vargas in February 2023 to win the WBC title. He made two immediate defenses against Eduardo Hernandez (in an action affair) and Abraham Nova to gain momentum as one of the best junior lightweight fighters in the world.

Foster said he had only re-watched the Conceicao fight and was still only willing to give his opponent two of the 12 rounds. But the fact that so many have reached out to him and still consider him a champion has strengthened Foster's resolve to regain his title.

“I find [Conceicao] “He’s a tenacious, tough fighter who you have to bend to his will,” Foster said. “He won't just give up.” He's that kind of guy. But I also think that you can bear it, you just have to bring it to him. I respect him as a fighter. He'll come to fight and he'll probably try to do something different, but I'll definitely be ready for that.

“I'm just trying to prove everyone wrong and get revenge. I think that I've often come up short and I like proving people wrong. That's just my attitude, I'm free.” and I want to introduce myself every day and I can't wait when I wake up.

Fight card, odds

• O'Shaquie Foster -420 vs. Robson Conceição (c) +320, WBC junior lightweight title
• Raymond Muratalla -2400 vs. Jesus Perez +1100, lightweight
• Bryce Mills vs. Mike Ohan Jr., junior welterweight
• Abraham Nova -1800 vs. Humberto Galindo +800, junior lightweight

View information

• Date: November 2nd
• Location: Turning Stone Resort Casino – Verona, New York
• Start time: First bell at 5:50 p.m. ET
• Where to see: ESPN+

forecast

This has all the makings of being a much more exciting rematch than the first fight turned out to be, especially considering Foster's keenness not to leave things to the judges' imagination. Should Foster increase his attacking output, as he has openly suggested, this should give Conceicao more opportunities to exchange with him from close range.

But if Foster proved one thing in the first fight, it's that his speed and footwork pose a discipline problem for Conceicao. So the rematch will come down to how well Foster manages the balance between both styles, avoiding being too skilful and relying on his defense, while also being careful not to linger in areas for too long which Conceicao can make him pay.

Conceicao is as smart as it is durable. But there's no doubt that Foster is motivated to put the pieces together and create the best performance of his professional career. This fight may be just as close as the first in terms of judges' scoring, but Foster has all the tools necessary to secure retaliation as the betting favorite at nearly 4-1.

Choose: Foster about UD12