‘I don’t want no excuses’: O’Shaquie Foster on Lomachenko fight

On October 24, at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, O’Shaquie Foster defeated Emanuel Navarrete to become the WBC, WBO, and IBF super featherweight world champion with the victory. The entire fight card was promoted by Top Rank, while fight fans could catch the action on DAZN. Vasiliy Lomachenko was at ringside for Foster vs Navarrete, and a future fight between the Ukrainian and American looks possible. The WBC, WBO, and IBF super featherweight champion spoke with Ariel Helwani, where he said he wants Lomachenko to have a tune-up fight before any potential showdown between the two.

O’Shaquie Foster dominates Emanuel Navarrete with Lomachenko in the distance

O’Shaquie Foster vs Emanuel Navarrete was a fight many looked forward to, and it delivered, with Foster (26-3, 12 KOs) quickly in the ascendancy.

Navarrete (40-3-1, 33 KOs) tried to assert himself, but he couldn’t pin Foster down, whose straight punching kept beating the looping unorthodox shots of the Mexican. The American showed his sharpness early, and it continued for much of the fight.

The Mexican fighter enjoyed success, but mainly with big single shots, which Foster took well. Navarrete looked for the knockout in round 12, starting fast, but walked into a right hook from Foster, knocking the Mexican down. Just 90 seconds later, the American landed a more eye-catching shot, scoring his second knockdown of the fight. It was a sweet punch that had Navarrete on unsteady legs after he beat the count. It ultimately went to the scorecards, which read 118-108 (x2) and 115-111.

Winning this fight crowned Foster the WBC, WBO, and IBF super featherweight world champion. It was his third defence of the WBC title since he regained it against Robson Conceicao in 2024. The 115-111 scorecard was horrific, but the right man had his hand raised. The future looks bright for O’Shaquie Foster!

Vasiliy Lomachenko returns but Foster advises tune-up fight

Vasiliy Lomachenko recently announced his return from retirement at 130 lbs, reportedly targeting a showdown with WBA champion Anthony Cacace (25-1, 9 KOs), who is due to defend his title on December 19 in Belfast against Nick Ball (23-1-1, 13 KOs). Lomachenko (18-3, 12 KOs) spoke to the media at ringside, giving his reaction to Foster’s win.

When asked at ringside for his view on Foster’s performance, Lomachenko said: “It’s a great performance. It was a very interesting fight, very skilful fight.”

Loma was then asked if he would like to face Foster; he said: “Yeah, why not.”

“Timing, combination, and boxing IQ,” added Loma when asked what stood out most from Foster.

Charley Suarez (19-0, 11 KOs) is also promoted by Top Rank and challenged Navarrete for his WBO crown, with the bout ending in a controversial eighth-round no contest. The Mexican fighter was allowed to bypass the immediate rematch for unification fights with Eduardo “Sugar” Nunez and then Foster. These developments left Suarez to face and knock out Manuel Avila.

The Big Fight Weekend verdict

Top Rank chairman Bob Arum recently spoke to Fight Freaks Unite, where he clarified the plans at 130 pounds, including Lomachenko’s return, and the planned opponent:

“Loma is gonna fight Suarez. That’s pretty well done (for) February,” Arum said.

Arum also revealed that Top Rank are working on a multi-fight deal with Loma: Whoever wins that fight (between Lomachenko and Suarez) would fight Foster sometime in the spring or summer of next year. And whoever wins that fight between Loma and Foster would then fight the guy who has the other title.”

Foster’s win over Navarrete ensures he inherits the mandatory obligation, but Arum’s update suggests that Suarez will forgo it to face the mercurial Ukrainian, Lomachenko. Whoever wins Cacace vs Ball in December looks likely to face Foster, and should Loma defeat Suarez, Foster vs Lomachenko looks a real possibility for next year. Speaking to Ariel Helwani, Foster didn’t dismiss the Lomachenko fight, but made it clear the Ukrainian has to fight before facing him:

“I think it’s been two or three years since he fought. I feel like I wouldn’t get the credit. They’re already trying not to give me credit for certain fights.

“I’d rather him get a tune-up fight because I just fought, so it’s gonna be a little while before I fight again. In between time, let him get busy, and after that, if he looks good, then let’s do it.

“I just don’t want no excuses. That’s it,” said Foster.

Featured Image Credit:

Top Rank