O'Shaquie Foster beats Emanuel Navarrete to unify junior lightweight titles
Foster added Navarrete's IBF and WBO belts to his WBC title with a unanimous-decision win in San Antonio. A reported WBO condition points to a defense against Charly Suarez.
O'Shaquie Foster defeated Emanuel Navarrete by unanimous decision in San Antonio on Saturday, October 24, adding Navarrete's IBF and WBO junior lightweight titles to the WBC belt he brought into the fight. The victory made Foster a unified champion, with judges scoring the contest 115-111, 118-108 and 118-108.
Foster of Orange, Texas, entered with a 25-3 record and 12 knockouts, while Navarrete of Mexico came in at 40-2-1 with 33 knockouts, according to NY Fights. The outlet also reported that Foster took the vacant Ring Magazine belt. The result changed the division's title picture by putting three sanctioning-body belts in Foster's hands.
How Foster controlled the fight
CBS Sports reported that Foster set the pace early, choosing when to exchange while keeping clear of Navarrete's pressure. Navarrete landed no punches in the opening round, according to its account. As the fight continued, Foster answered Navarrete's successful attacks with his own shots and outlanded him.
Navarrete hurt Foster with an uppercut late in the 11th round, CBS Sports reported, but Foster sent him to the canvas in the 12th. The two reports disagree on the number of final-round knockdowns: CBS Sports counted two and NY Fights counted three. Navarrete finished the fight, leaving the decision to the judges.
Foster said afterward that he had expected a strong, awkward opponent. ‘I just had a little more in me tonight,’ he said, according to CBS Sports. He added that he had believed he was the better fighter both inside and outside. Navarrete acknowledged the defeat, saying Foster's style had been better that night and asking his fans to applaud him, according to NY Fights.
Reported WBO defense condition
NY Fights reported that the WBO allowed the unification bout on condition that its winner defend the title against Charly Suarez of the Philippines within 180 days. That reported requirement would put a deadline on Foster's first WBO defense after his win over Navarrete.
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Sources and context
- O'Shaquie Foster dominates Emanuel Navarrete to become unified junior lightweight championCBS Sports
- O’Shaquie Foster Freezes Out Emanuel Navarrete SaturdayNY Fights (republished by Yahoo Sports)
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.