O’Shaquie Foster went the distance to retain his WBC junior lightweight title recently.
Foster scored a split decision over Abraham Nova from New York’s Theater at Madison Square Garden.
Scores were 115-112 and 116-111 for the champion, with the challenger earning a 114-113 card from a judge.
A 12th-round knockdown helped Foster seal the victory, which was his 22nd overall among 24 appearances. He took control late in the bout with Nova, closing out strong to seal the deal.
“I’m a 12-round fighter and I know how to make adjustments through the fight,” Foster said (thanks to ESPN for the quotes). “He came on strong in the beginning, but I found my rhythm and I found his timing and then I started picking it up.
“I had a bad weight cut. My rhythm was just off. I’m going to be back stronger than ever.”
The loss for Nova dropped him to 23-2 overall as the 30-year-old from Puerto Rico was making his first 12-round fight appearance.
“He did hit me, but I did slip (in Round 12),” Nova said. “I lost my balance. I wasn’t hurt. The fight would have been a draw if that hadn’t happened. This is boxing. I know they probably think I wasn’t that good. But you guys see I’m a great fighter.”
Foster claimed the 130-pound title early last year with a victory over Rey Vargas. He earned his first title defense with an October finish of Rocky Hernandez.
Up next for Foster will likely be a bout to unify the division against either Lamont Roach or the winner of Oscar Valdez vs. Liam Wilson.
