On November 3 in Verona, USA, a fight for the title of the world champion in the second featherweight weight category (up to 58.9 kg) took place between the Brazilian Robson Conceicao (19-3-1, 9 KOs) and the American O’Shakey Foster (23-3, 12 KO). There were too many questions before the first match – then the judges decided to give perhaps the most controversial refereeing decision of the year.
The rematch was supposed to answer whether O’Shakey really was better than Robson. Or if Conceicao can prove that he is worthy of a championship.
Foster nailed it. But this time he could really lose
The first match between O’Shakey Foster and Robson Conceicao took place in the summer of 2024. The Brazilian got a title shot simply because he consistently looked good in every such match. And probably because the matchup against Emanuel Navarrete turned out great.
In the fall of 2023, Robson met the then Mexican champion Navarrete. And, despite the forecasts, gave a great fight. Conceicao was able to fight Emanuel, despite the fact that before the fight it seemed that the Mexican should easily win in an open fight.
However, in the match against Foster, I had to adapt to a completely different opponent. O’Shakey is a counter-attack style boxer. The American likes and knows how to work in exchanges, but this is not his primary task in the ring. And with such opponents, Conceicao does not look as cool as with those who like to fight.
Robson tried to deliver power shots and put pressure on the opponent. Occasionally it turned out well, occasionally he caught the opponent with counterattacks. But in the overall picture, the Brazilian still lost.
And what a surprise there was when two of the three side judges awarded the victory to Conceicao. And one of them also with a good margin – 115-113 and 116-112 against 116-112 in favor of Foster from the third side.
It cannot be said that many fans were expecting a rematch. But those who watched the first meeting mostly wanted to see the second one as well. The fighters showed high-quality boxing in the first confrontation, fought to the last, but the issue was not closed. However, is O’Shakey really better than his opponent. Or maybe Robson can work on the mistakes and still, in fact, win the championship belt.
Still, it couldn’t be said that Conceicao didn’t earn the title with his career. This time he had to prove that he deserved the belt precisely by fighting against a specific opponent.
And the second confrontation began as if the first had not ended. Conceicao tried to press, hit. Foster tried to catch the champion in the wrong.
In general, Robson was not the standard of an attacking boxer, but this was enough to go forward well and deliver blows. Towards the middle of the meeting, it was even thought that Robson was doing enough to win, given that he is the champion and the judges may have less demands on him.
An important difference from the first confrontation was that this time Robson looked good in simple boxing. Without the need to advance endlessly or require the opponent to fight. He hit thanks to his long arms and remembered the school, which he has one hundred percent.
However, one should not exaggerate the praise of the Brazilian. Conceicao is well done, but still looked less accurate than his opponent. O’Shakey Foster boxed at number two and was once again effective enough to take the rounds.
Here it cannot be said that Foster has shown any standard of accuracy. Even compared to the first match, O’Shakey wasn’t as confidently accurate. However, he did enough to mostly take rounds rather than give them away.
In the tenth round, Foster got the opponent with a side kick. And it was shaken. It’s surprising, because Robson Conceicao holds the punch perfectly, and Foster is not a top puncher. The Brazilian could not be knocked out by Oscar Valdes and Emanuel Navarrete. Even Shakur Stevenson – and he did not achieve the same.
However, Foster himself did not rush to finish. I tried to hit – I only got the opponent’s gloves and gave up on the matter. Considering that Conceicao looked much better this time, there were, of course, questions about such a decision.
Both were nervous during the judge’s verdict. But especially Foster. He was already in such a situation when he boxed more accurately, but did not win. But then he was not a contender. And then the opponent looked worse than this evening.
The judges kept the intrigue – they gave 115-113 to each side. And then they still returned the title to O’Shakey Foster – the third side gave him the victory also with a score of 115-113.
Conceicao with such boxing can still continue to perform. Although it is unlikely to achieve more. He had the title, he boxed with all the tops of the division. There is nothing to prove, there is no way to become better. Now there is only a sporting and financial interest in continuing the fights.
You should not count on a rematch. Still, this fight did not gather too many fans, and it will be even more difficult to sell it the third time.
