Boxing fans will be treated to a sequel of one of the most controversial fights of the year when Brazil's Robson Conceicao makes the maiden defense of his WBC super featherweight title against O'Shaquie Foster on November 2. The 12-round bout, plus undercard action, takes place at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, New York.
WATCH: Robson Conceicao vs. O'Shaquie Foster 2, exclusively on ESPN+
Conceicao (19-2-1, 9 KOs) was awarded a contentious split-decision victory over Foster on the Shakur Stevenson vs. Artem Harutyunyan undercard in July. While the fight was far from one-sided, the vast majority of fans and experts felt Foster had retained his title with room to spare and the demand for a rematch was instant.
Foster (22-3, 12 KOs) outpointed Mexico's Rey Vargas to win the vacant WBC title in February 2023. Heading into the first fight with Conceicao, the 31-year-old slickster from Texas had scored title defense wins over "Rocky" Hernandez and Abraham Nova before suffering that shock defeat.
"The [Conceicao] fight was easy. I didn't see where the judges got that decision," Foster said via a Top Rank press release. "I only saw that I could have been more active and let my hands go in certain situations more.
"There are a lot of things I can do in that ring. I could have done a little bit more. But now I get the opportunity to do it again. Not everybody gets that opportunity. A lot of times, people get robbed, and they don't get the rematch. So, I'm fortunate to get that rematch, and I'm looking to letting my hands go more."
The Sporting News looks at the odds for the rematch and makes a final prediction on the outcome.
Robson Conceicao vs. O'Shaquie Foster 2 odds, betting
Per BetMGM, Foster is the -400 favorite while Conceicao is the +300 underdog. The draw is +1600.
Robson Conceicao vs. O'Shaquie Foster 2 prediction
To put it in simple terms, we've already seen this fight and we know who the better man is. For whatever reason, two judges found a way to give Conceicao the victory, but almost no one agreed with the verdict.
The first encounter was high-speed chess, but Foster was faster, more accurate, and more versatile with his attacks. Conceicao had his moments, but he was outclassed for the majority of the fight and that's why the WBC ordered a direct rematch.
Conceicao is in the strange position of attempting to avenge a victory, but he'll be a step behind Foster, who is obsessed with regaining what he never should have lost. We're going to see the same fight all over again with the correct result.
SN Prediction: Foster UD 12
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