Foster sets an exclamation mark in the Lone Star State and rolls over Fulton with precise jabs, variable deliveries and clear point sovereignty.
WBC super featherweight world champion O’Shaquie Foster (24-3, 12 knockouts) produced an almost flawless performance in Texas, celebrating a clear points victory by unanimous decision over two-time world champion Stephen Fulton Jr (23-2, 8 knockouts). With this triumph, Foster crowns himself the new interim WBC lightweight champion. “The gameplan was to stay smart, stay sharp and stop him in the later rounds,” explained Foster after his triumph. “But he’s a damn good fighter, a real veteran – he knew how to survive.”
The local hero from Orange, Texas, immediately found his rhythm. With a reach advantage, clean footwork and a precise jab, he consistently kept Fulton at a distance. The jab tipped the scales in the first six rounds in particular: 41 punches for Foster compared to just 14 for Fulton.
Foster kept changing the delivery, noticeably increasing the pressure from the second half onwards and landing numerous straight hands that pushed Fulton back. Overall, Foster dominated the statistics with 191 to 56 hands at the finish – a clear statement.
Fulton tried once again in the championship rounds to get within half distance to turn the tide. But every risk opened up space for Foster’s precise counter-attacks, so that the former unified champion never really got rolling. After twelve rounds, the judges scored clearly: 119-109, 118-110 and 117-111 – all for Foster.
After the victory, Foster turned his attention to the future: “I want Shakur Stevenson. I’ve been saying that for a long time. But he seems to be fighting at 140 pounds now. So I have to make a decision – 130 or 135. I’ll see what happens and then make a decision.”