SAN ANTONIO — O’Shaquie Foster delivered the finest performance of his career to outclass Emanuel Navarrete over 12 rounds and unify three super featherweight world titles on Saturday night in San Antonio, punctuating a dominant display with two knockdowns in the final round. Foster, who entered with the WBC crown at 130 lbs, added the IBF and WBO belts as judges returned scores of 115-111, 118-108 and 118-108 in his favour.
The 26-3 (12 KO) Foster controlled the action from the outset against the 40-3-1 (33 KO) Navarrete, who fought with his customary heart but was a step or two behind throughout. Bad Left Hook scored the bout 118-108 twice for Foster, mirroring two of the official cards, after Foster dropped Navarrete twice in the 12th to remove any doubt. “I knew he was going to be strong and awkward. He’s a great champion, I just had a little bit more in me tonight,” Foster said.
“I felt like I was the better inside fighter and outside fighter. But hats off to him. I knew I was levels above him, I just wanted to prove it. He can punch, but I’ve got a chin. I’m strong. He’s a great champion,” he added.
Foster said his focus is now on becoming the first undisputed champion at 130 lbs in the four-belt era, with an eye on December’s WBA title fight between Anthony Cacace and Nick Ball. He acknowledged he will likely be required to make a mandatory defence against Charly Suarez first. Asked about Shakur Stevenson, whom he has called out in the past, Foster said his sights are firmly set on undisputed honours.
It marks an extraordinary new chapter for Foster, whose career once looked set to stall at ShoBox level a decade ago. Now, with three belts unified and a statement victory over an always-tough champion in Navarrete, he has a strong case to be considered among the top 10 pound-for-pound fighters in the sport.