Tag Archives: foster

Posted on 07/10/2020

By: Oliver McManus

Boxing returns to British soil for the first time since March with a five fight card broadcast live on BT Sport and, in the States, ESPN+. Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren leads the way with two title fights on Friday night beamed from the BT Sport Studios.

Lichfield’s Brad Foster tops the bill in defense of his British and Commonwealth super bantamweight titles with James Beech Jr in the opposite corner. Foster, 22 years old, has already produced a memorable performance in 2020: he stopped Lucien Reid in six rounds of their rematch back in February. That fight, if we’re honest, was largely built up as Reid’s opportunity to “right some wrongs” from the majority draw they fought to in September.

Foster hushed any remaining critics with a performance much more mature than his years. His well-measured  approach to the sport is a testament to his tough paper round of development: this will be his sixth title fight on the bounce in which he’s defeated a former British champion, a defending Commonwealth champion and two unbeaten contenders.

Bloxwich’s James Beech is another young fighter looking to seize big opportunities. The 23 year old is a two weight Midlands Area champion – at super feather and featherweight – but told Boxing Insider before this fight was made that he felt super bantamweight suited him best. His last bout was in December 2019 with a tough ten rounds against Luke Jones. That fight, for the Midlands super featherweight belt, saw Beech develop over the second half of the fight and, you suspect, over 12 rounds the gap would have widened.

Long and rangy super welterweight Hamzah Sheeraz defends his WBO European title against Paul Kean in a contest scheduled for ten rounds. Sheeraz has been touted by Warren for a long time as possessing something special and, at 21 years of age, he’s got plenty of time to show it. He collected the first title of his career in November with a sixth round stoppage of Ryan Kelly: a fight in which Sheeraz looked really spiteful and chomping at the bit for a stoppage.

Dundee’s Paul Keen is a wee shorter – by two inches at 6ft even – than his counterpart but carries that southpaw nuisance in his back pocket. The 27 year old, a professional for four years, has boxed largely out of Paisley’s Lagoon Leisure Centre but has never ducked a challenge; half of his fights against men with positive records or for a title of sorts. The sole loss on Keen’s record came against Stefan Sanderson, who passed away on June 23rd, for the Scottish title in September 2018.

Three hot prospects will feature on the undercard with hard hitting Mark Chamberlain up against Stu Greener over six rounds whilst heavyweight action comes courtesy of Dorin Krasmaru vs Phil Williams and David Adeleye vs Matt Gordon.

Posted on 02/21/2020

By: Oliver McManus

A tough-to-call rematch on Saturday night to get everyone talking… no it’s not Deontay Wilder’s behemoth clash with Tyson Fury but more domestic affair down at York Hall, Bethnal Green. British and Commonwealth super bantamweight champion Brad Foster squares off with, old foe, Lucien Reid.

The pair first met in September over a fiercely fought twelve rounds that saw a majority draw declared on the night. Over the course of that contest it was Reid who served as the primary aggressor with his speed and movement, at times, seeing him a step clear of his man. It was an impressive display of athleticism from the London fighter when consider he’d only had two fights in the previous two years.

Defending champion Foster had a bumpy opening couple of rounds but adjusted to Reid’s pace and style as the rounds progressed. It really was a case of “what do you like” when it came to scoring the contest with Reid landing shots at more of a forced pace whilst the defending champion focussed on concise, measured work.

On that night the York Hall crowd, naturally, favoured with the endeared challenger who, himself, was adamant he’d done enough to win the fight. In truth it seemed as though the contest was a tale of two halves with Reid’s corner imploring ‘patience’ ahead of the sixth round. Both men have plumped for an immediate rematch with, they perceive, a point to prove and fire in the belly.

Serving as a nominal canape to the main event out in Las Vegas, Foster vs Reid tops Queensbury Promotions UK leg of the build-up. It’ll be interesting to see if both men approach the contest with their steadfast styles or attempt to mix it up for the rematch.

The undercard features a British title eliminator between Kody Davies and Umar Sadiq at super middleweight. Welshman Kody Davies is making the step up down from 175lbs having campaigned at the higher weight class for the duration of his career. Both men have racked up ten fights since their debuts: a month either side of each other in the autumn of 2017.

A small shared history unites the two having both taken on, former Southern Area champion, Zak Chelli during the pro careers. Sadiq came on strong during their eight round contest, at the end of 2018, and there was a feeling had it have been scheduled for two more that Sadiq would have won. Davies was more imposing from the start of his contest with Chelli and, despite being dropped in the second, proved a comfortable winner over the course of ten rounds.

With this particular contest also slated for ten rounds, Sadiq may look to lean on that growing engine over the course of the fight to tie Davies down. His younger counterpart will back himself, though, to ride the storm and prove the livelier man on the night.

Posted on 09/22/2018

By: Ken Hissner

At the Firelake Arena in Shawnee, OK, Friday night promoting were DiBella Entertainment, Tony Holden Pomotions and HD Promotions on ShoBox featuring WBC Super Featherweight Silver champion Spain’s Jon “Jon Fer” Fernandez, and Carlos Ramos both managed by former world champion Sergio “Marvilla” Martinez.

WBC No. 9 Super Featherweight contender Jon “Jon Fer” Fernandez, 16-1 (14), of Spain lost his WBC Silver title to O’Shaquie “Ice Water” Foster, 14-2 (?), of Houston, TEX, over 10 rounds.

In the first round Foster dances around the ring as the taller Fernandez stalks him. Foster landed a jab but was countered with a Fernandez right to the chin. Foster seemed to waste a lot of energy dancing around and doing little on offense. In the second round Fernandez landed a jab and was countered by a right to the chin by Foster. Foster continues to dance around the ring while Fernandez seemed to have problems cutting the ring off and catching him. Foster landed a counter left hook knocking the head of Fernandez back. Foster ended the round with a solid jab knocking the head of Fernandez back.

In the third round Foster continues bouncing around the ring using his hand speed when Fernandez gets close to counter him. In the fourth round referee Lawrence Cole warned Foster for hitting behind the head. Foster landed a solid lead right to the chin of Fernandez knocking his head back. Fernandez continues to have a problem landing a solid punch to the “moving target” Foster is giving him. Fernandez landed a left hook to the body but got countered with a right to the chin.

In the fifth round Foster landed half a dozen body shots on Fernandez. Fernandez continues to have a problem landed anything solid due to the movement of Foster. Fernandez has marks under both eyes at the end of the round. In the sixth round the same pattern of the fight continues. Just prior to the end of the round Fernandez got his best punch of the fight a short right cross rocking Foster.

In the seventh round Foster landed a nice left hook to the chin of Fernandez. Both boxers exchanged left hands to the chin of one another. Fernandez had a better round. In the eighth round Foster landed a solid right to the chin of Fernandez. Fernandez landed a short chopping right but got rocked with a Foster left hook to the chin.

In the ninth round Foster continues countering Fernandez while moving around the ring. In the tenth and final round referee Cole again doesn’t have the boxers touch gloves. Fernandez continues to miss most of his punches. Fernandez landed a good right cross head to the chin of Foster. Against the ropes Foster countered well against Fernandez.

Scores were 98-92 by all three judges and 97-93 by this writer.

In the co-feature Super Featherweight Irvin Gonzalez, 11-0 (9), of Worcester, MASS, easily defeated Ecuador’s southpaw Carlos Ramos, 9-1 (6), of Spain made his US debut, over 8 rounds.

In the first round southpaw Ramos landed several lead left hands to the chin of Gonzalez. Ramos is shorter and fights out of a crouch. Gonzalez used a good jab but got countered by a left from Ramos to the head. In the second round Gonzalez switched to southpaw landed a good combination then returned to orthodox. Moment’s later back to southpaw Gonzalez landed several good punches to the head of Ramos before returning to orthodox. Referee warned Ramos about using his head at the end of the round.

In the third round Ramos landed a solid right hook to the head of Gonzalez. Ramos missed with a lead left and got countered by a chopping right to the head by Gonzalez. Again the referee warned Ramos at the end of the round for using his head. In the fourth round Gonzalez landed a double jab but got countered with a left to the chin from Ramos. Referee warned both fighters for hitting behind the head. Gonzalez landed a 3-punch combination to the head and body of Ramos. Ramos held and hit Gonzalez twice and was warned for holding and hitting. Gonzalez had a welt under his left eye at the end.

In the fifth round both had a good exchange. Ramos told the referee he had vasoliene in his right eye so the referee stopped the action and allowed Ramos to go to his corner to get it whipped clean. Gonzalez warned for pushing Ramos to the canvas. Ramos landed a solid left to the head which was his best punch of the round. Gonzalez was much busier than Ramos. In the sixth round Gonzalez out worked Ramos who is only throwing one punch at a time. Ramos landed the last punch of the round a lead left to the chin of Gonzalez.

In the seventh round Ramos dances while in one spot without throwing anything while Gonzalez lands a right to the chin. Gonzalez landed a combination to the chin of Ramos. In the eighth and final round Gonzalez landed a double jab ending with a right to the chin of Ramos. Gonzalez jab keeps Ramos on the defense. Ramos finally landed a combination to the chin of Gonzalez. Gonzalez landed a solid lead right to the mid-section of Ramos. Gonzalez continued out working Ramos right up to the bell.

Scores were 80-72, 79-73 and 78-74 while this writer had it 79-73.

Lightweight Wesley Ferrer, 12-1-1(7), of Brooklyn, NY, lost a majority decision in a sloppy fight to Philadelphia’s Steven “The Hit Man” Ortiz, 9-0 (3), over 8 rounds.

In the first round the taller Ortiz uses his jab well. Ferrer landed an overhand right to the chin of Ortiz rocking him. Both landed punches after the bell. In the second round Ferrer landed a right to the chin of Ortiz who had his hands low. Ortiz threw half a dozen unanswered punches as Ferrer slipped a few of them. Ferrer landed a right to the head.

In the third round Ferrer landed a right to the chin of Ortiz. Seconds later Ferrer landed a left hook to the chin of Ortiz. Both exchanged left hooks to the chin. In the fourth round both exchanged a flurry of punches with Ferrer landing the final and left to the head of Ortiz. Ortiz was warned for holding by referee Lawrence Cole. Ferrer forces the action. Referee Cole warned Ortiz to keep the punches up.

In the fifth round Ferrer warned for hitting the back of the head but landed another one behind the head without a warning. Referee warns Ferrer for holding. Ferrer landed a combo with the right rocking Ortiz. In the sixth round Ferrer warned for hitting behind the head. Both boxers warned for holding. Ferrer landed a good right to the chin of Ortiz. The fight continues to be very sloppy with too much holding.

In the seventh round Ferrer landed an overhand right that glanced off the top of the head of Ortiz. Ortiz landed a short right to the head but was countered with a left to the head. In the eighth round Ferrer missed with a left hook and got countered with a right from Ortiz on the chin. Ortiz landed a lead right to the chin of Ferrer. Ferrer landed a 3-punch combination. The bout ended to a lack luster fight.

Scores were 76-76, 78-74 and 77-75 for Ortiz while this writer had it 78-74 Ferrer.

Super Featherweight James “Real Crunch Time” Wilkins, 5-1 (5), of Staten Island, NY, suffered his first loss in a lopsided loss to Misael Lopez, 9-0 (4), of Denver, CO, over 8 rounds for the Americas Super Featherweight Title.

In the first round Lopez landed a flurry of punches to the head while Wilkins covered up. Wilkins warned twice by the referee for hitting behind the head. Lopez landed a 3-punch combination driving Wilkins into the ropes. Lopez moves around the ring well with Wilkins trying to nail him with little success. In the second round Wilkins missing wildly as the shorter Lopez countered with a flurry of punches. Lopez landed three left hooks to the body of Wilkins. Wilkins dropped Lopez with a low left hook. The referee gave Wilkins a warning for a second time and gave Lopez a five minute rest. Lopez after the rest starts landing right hands to the body of Wilkins. Wilkins land a counter left to the chin aft getting hit by a Lopez right to the chin.

In the third round Wilkins was warned again for a low blow by referee Mike English. The taller Wilkins had trouble landing anything but a jab as Lopez counters well to the body and head. Lopez lands a flurry of punches to end the round. In the fourth round Wilkins was warned again and the referee who warned him “next time I will take away a point” didn’t. The taller Wilkins is frustrated. Lopez is beating him to the punch and willing to stand in front of him.

In the fifth round Lopez works the body with left hooks. Both exchanged body punches. Finally the referee takes away a point for another Wilkins low blow left hook. Lopez started moving more and countering well. Wilkins is frustrated due to lack of landing punches and getting hit. In the sixth round another low blow by Wilkins and the referee gives him a weak warning. Lopez backs into the ropes and opens up hurting Wilkins. Wilkins was driven into the ropes. Lopez landed a hard right to the body of Wilkins. Wilkins landed a right and left combo to the head of Lopez who had his hands down. Lopez landed a good right uppercut to the mid-section of Wilkins.

In the seventh round Lopez is hitting Wilkins with everything he throws. Lopez is too fast a foot and hand. Lopez landed half a dozen unanswered punches but is getting cocky dropping his hands. Lopez landed a 3-punch combination to the head of Wilkins. Wilkins came back with a long right to the chin. Referee warned Wilkins for hitting behind the head. Wilkins landed a right making Lopez whose right hit the canvas just prior to the bell but the referee failed to call it a knockdown. In the eighth and final round Lopez works the body and got hit by a Wilkins counter right to the head. Lopez raises his hands halfway through the round as if the fight is already won by him. Lopez showboats the last half a minute.

Scores were surprisingly close at 79-72, 77-74, 76-75 while this writer had it 80-71.

Posted on 09/19/2018

By: Ken Hissner

Spain’s Jon “Jonfer” Fernandez, 16-0 (14), won the WBC Silver title a year ago and this Friday makes his first defense against O’Shaquie “Ice Water” Foster, 13-2 (8), of Houston, TEX, on Showtime.

Since Fernandez has not defended in a year and is ranked No. 9 in the WBC while Foster is not ranked. The fight will take place at the Firelake Arena in Shawnee, OK.

Fernandez has scored stoppages in 3 rounds in his last two fights scheduled for 8 rounds since winning the title a year ago. He has stopped Nicaragua’s Henry Maldonado, 20-6, in June and Panama’s Juan “Lil General” Huertas, 14-1-1 in April. He previously has wins over Juan “Pachito” Reyes, 14-3-3, Ismael Garcia, 7-0, Ernesto Garcia III, 7-1 and Mikael “Misha” Mkrtchyan, 16-1, all by stoppages.

In the co-feature is Super Featherweight Irvin Gonzalez, 10-0 (9), of Worcester, MASS, is taking on Ecuador’s Carlos Ramos, 9-0 (6), of Spain in a scheduled 8. The only time Gonzalez has gone the distance is in his lone 8 rounder. Ramos is a southpaw and will be making his US debut.

Lightweight Wesley Ferrer, 12-0-1 (7), of Brooklyn, NY, coming off a draw last December is taking on Philadelphia’s Steven Ortiz, 8-0 (3), who last fought in January of this year. The draw was Ferrer’s first 8 rounder. He had a very good amateur background.

For Ortiz who defeated Joshua Davis, 11-2, in 2 rounds in his first 8 rounder this is a bout between two top prospects scheduled for 8 rounds.

Super Featherweight James “Crunch Time” Wilkins, 5-0 (5), of Staten Island, NY, taking on Misael Lopez, 8-0 (4), of Denver, CO, scheduled for 8 rounds for the vacant American Boxing Federation Continental Americas Super Featherweight Title.

Wilkins is jumping from all 4’s to an 8 winning twice in June. Lopez has a pair of 8’s on his record and last fought in February scoring a decision win.