By David A. Avila
Fighting deep in the tip of Southern Mexico, O’Shaquie Foster dug deep for a knockout win over Eduardo “Rocky” Hernandez to retain the WBC super featherweight title in the final round.
Foster (21-2, 12 KOs) used his prior experience of fighting in front of hostile audiences to overcome super game Hernandez (34-2, 30 KOs) at the Poliforum Benito Juarez in Cancun, Mexico.
Despite losing the ability to clinch on the inside, and the constant pressure of hard-hitting Hernandez, the Texas native Foster found a way to navigate through the smaller ring to victory.
But it was never easy.
Early in the fight the referee warned Foster of constant holding. Every time Hernandez got close the champion would grasp the Mexican fighter’s arms which is illegal according to boxing rules, but rarely enforced. The referee enforced that rule in Mexico.
Without the ability to clinch on the inside Foster was in uncharted territory and that allowed Hernandez to bore in swinging like a body punching machine. The Mexican fighter, who trains in Las Vegas, also knew how to change angles to confuse Foster.
Hernandez gained heavy momentum in the middle rounds with a constant attack as Foster found it difficult to defend on the inside. Hernandez pounded the body and slipped in uppercuts as Foster looked for openings.
The Mexican fighter was scoring but not hurting Foster who was making the first defense of the title he won from previously undefeated Rey Vargas.
Things were up in the air around the 11th round as both fighters approached the championship rounds. Foster connected early with a left uppercut that staggered Hernandez badly. He stayed upright but looked dazed and ready to go. He actually turned his back for a second and then faced the charging Foster who walked in looking to end the fight. Blow after blow was delivered by Foster who looked to end the fight. But suddenly Hernandez connected with a thudding right and Foster was in trouble. But the end of the round arrived not too late.
The sudden turn of fortune had the crowd in a frenzy. It was a strong candidate for Round of the Year.
In the final round Foster and Hernandez circled each other carefully, both seeming to find energy. When they finally attacked Foster connected with a right uppercut to the chin and down went Hernandez. He got up but seemed very unsteady. Foster moved in to attack again and fired a long right cross and another right cross. Down went Hernandez again. He got up once more and was met by Foster who unleashed four unanswered blows. The referee jumped in and stopped the action at 2:38 of the 12th round. Foster was named the winner by technical knockout and retains the title.
“Rocky is a heck of a puncher and a hell of a fighter,” said Foster. “I was able to time his head movement.”
Had Foster been unable to win by knockout he could have lost by decision. Hernandez was ahead on two scorecards.
“It was a fun fight,” Foster said.
Fun for the fans as well.
Other Bouts
Australia’s Justis Huni (8-0) defeated Andrew Tabiti (20-2) by decision after 10 rounds in a heavyweight fight.
Mexico’s Eduardo “Sugar” Nunez (25-1, 25 KOs) knocked out fellow Mexican Oscar Escandon (27-7) with a counter roundhouse right in the second round of a super featherweight clash.
Photo credit: Ed Mulholland / Matchroom
Fighting deep in the tip of Southern Mexico, O’Shaquie Foster dug deep for a knockout win over Eduardo “Rocky” Hernandez to retain the WBC super featherweight title in the final round.
Foster (21-2, 12 KOs) used his prior experience of fighting in front of hostile audiences to overcome super game Hernandez (34-2, 30 KOs) at the Poliforum Benito Juarez in Cancun, Mexico.
Despite losing the ability to clinch on the inside, and the constant pressure of hard-hitting Hernandez, the Texas native Foster found a way to navigate through the smaller ring to victory.
But it was never easy.
Early in the fight the referee warned Foster of constant holding. Every time Hernandez got close the champion would grasp the Mexican fighter’s arms which is illegal according to boxing rules, but rarely enforced. The referee enforced that rule in Mexico.
Without the ability to clinch on the inside Foster was in uncharted territory and that allowed Hernandez to bore in swinging like a body punching machine. The Mexican fighter, who trains in Las Vegas, also knew how to change angles to confuse Foster.
Hernandez gained heavy momentum in the middle rounds with a constant attack as Foster found it difficult to defend on the inside. Hernandez pounded the body and slipped in uppercuts as Foster looked for openings.
The Mexican fighter was scoring but not hurting Foster who was making the first defense of the title he won from previously undefeated Rey Vargas.
Things were up in the air around the 11th round as both fighters approached the championship rounds. Foster connected early with a left uppercut that staggered Hernandez badly. He stayed upright but looked dazed and ready to go. He actually turned his back for a second and then faced the charging Foster who walked in looking to end the fight. Blow after blow was delivered by Foster who looked to end the fight. But suddenly Hernandez connected with a thudding right and Foster was in trouble. But the end of the round arrived not too late.
The sudden turn of fortune had the crowd in a frenzy. It was a strong candidate for Round of the Year.
In the final round Foster and Hernandez circled each other carefully, both seeming to find energy. When they finally attacked Foster connected with a right uppercut to the chin and down went Hernandez. He got up but seemed very unsteady. Foster moved in to attack again and fired a long right cross and another right cross. Down went Hernandez again. He got up once more and was met by Foster who unleashed four unanswered blows. The referee jumped in and stopped the action at 2:38 of the 12th round. Foster was named the winner by technical knockout and retains the title.
“Rocky is a heck of a puncher and a hell of a fighter,” said Foster. “I was able to time his head movement.”
Had Foster been unable to win by knockout he could have lost by decision. Hernandez was ahead on two scorecards.
“It was a fun fight,” Foster said.
Fun for the fans as well.
Other Bouts
Australia’s Justis Huni (8-0) defeated Andrew Tabiti (20-2) by decision after 10 rounds in a heavyweight fight.
Mexico’s Eduardo “Sugar” Nunez (25-1, 25 KOs) knocked out fellow Mexican Oscar Escandon (27-7) with a counter roundhouse right in the second round of a super featherweight clash.
Photo credit: Ed Mulholland / Matchroom