The Boxing Truth®: Abraham Nova

Showing posts with label Abraham Nova. Show all posts

Monday, February 19, 2024

Foster-Nova Thoughts

With an unexpected detour of the plans of many Boxing fans for the weekend of February 17th, instead of the focus being on an encounter to determine the Undisputed Heavyweight championship of the world in Saudi Arabia, the Boxing world’s focus instead shifted to the friendly confines of The Theater in Madison Square Garden on February 16th where the spotlight focused on the 130lb. Jr. Lightweight division. In previewing WBC Jr. Lightweight world champion O'Shaquie Foster’s title defense against WBC number twelve rated contender Abraham Nova, this observer noted how the current landscape of the 130lb. Jr. Lightweight division is wide open with five current world champions, representing the five major world sanctioning organizations, currently sitting atop the division.

As such, there is no current central figure in the division, which means that it will be up to one of the current five champions to make a strong enough argument for himself as being the top fighter in the division. What yours truly did not mention was that there are times where such arguments are not likely to be made in one fight, but would/will perhaps take a few fights in order for the fighter through performances in the ring, to drum up public support in their favor as well as to potentially bring about the unification process, which would at least in theory move progress towards determining one world champion, and thus end any would be debates in the court of public opinion. Nearing the one year anniversary of his becoming a world champion by defeating Rey Vargas, now going into his second title defense, it was Foster's chance to continue to make the argument for himself.

Under such a scenario, one might expect that a champion in Foster’s position might try to be aggressive and in the process look to make a statement. If that were the fight plan for Foster going into this encounter, it did not come to fruition. What occurred inside the ring was the very definition of a tactical Boxing chess match where neither fighter was willing to give much room for their opposition.

The first six rounds of this twelve round world championship bout was largely a contest of jabs and fighting for position. Abraham was very consistent in that any time he threw his jab, it was usually two or three at a time as he came forward. As consistent as it was, the champion Foster seemed prepared for it as he seemed to just evade those jabs from Nova by stepping slightly out of range and trying to give angles. When Foster threw his jab, they were thrown singularly and the challenger seemed to mimic his opponent by stepping out of range.

A true conundrum for anyone attempting to score a fight that is fought in such a way, often who wins a round will be determined by moments in a round that tends to sway opinion one way or the other. Nevertheless, when two fighters are essentially matching each other both offensively as well as defensively, determining such moments can be extremely difficult for any would-be judge. As the fight progressed, Nova seemed to be getting a slight edge as he was able to close the distance in spots and started landing short combinations to the body and head of the champion.

Just as it seemed there was some separation between the two fighters developing, even by the slightest of margins, Foster would respond in the following round where the ebb and flow was essentially at a standstill. After six rounds, I felt the fight was even.

It would be over the second half of the fight however, where there would be a separation between the two fighters. Despite the bout remaining competitive, Foster's sharper combination punching, ability to bait Nova into being countered, most notably with left hooks, and finally, being able to score a knockdown in the closing seconds of the twelfth and final round, ultimately resulted in Foster's retaining his world championship via twelve round split decision.

Although this was likely not the ideal scenario in which O'Shaquie Foster wanted to retain his title on a big stage in Madison Square Garden, he got the job done against a determined opponent, who to his credit, was able to make things difficult, particularly when the fight was fought on the inside. While we may be no closer to determining who is the top Jr. Lightweight in the world currently, O'Shaquie Foster did succeed in establishing that he is firmly in the discussion and the focus will likely remain on him moving forward to see if he can continue to make his case.

“And That's The Boxing Truth."

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Thursday, February 15, 2024

Foster-Nova Preview

The weekend of February 17, 2024 was to be centrally focused on the unification bout between undefeated Heavyweight world champions Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk for the Undisputed Heavyweight championship of the world, which was to have taken place in Saudi Arabia. As most know, the fight will not be taking place due to a severe gash suffered by Fury over the WBC champion’s right eye, which has for the moment halted what could still happen at some point later this year, despite the numerous conspiracy theories that are being shared throughout the sport.

For those looking for a theory or a would be “Hot Take” from this observer, you have unfortunately come to the wrong place, or should I say, chosen to read the wrong column penned by yours truly. Rather than spending what would amount to a waste of time and energy discussing theories, which may or may not have basis depending on your own perspective as a valued reader, I would much rather spend time talking about a world championship fight that at least as of this writing is still on the schedule. A fight that will not be taking place in Saudi Arabia, but rather a more familiar setting to many Boxing fans, The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY, where on Friday, February 16th, WBC Jr. Lightweight world champion O'Shaquie Foster will make the second defense of his world championship against current WBC number twelve rated Jr. Lightweight contender Abraham Nova. A twelve round world championship bout that can be seen here in the United States on digital subscription sports streaming network ESPN+.

Foster, who won the WBC Jr. Lightweight world championship in February of last year with a twelve round unanimous decision over Rey Vargas, now prepares to make his second defense shortly after the one year anniversary of his becoming a world champion. In his last bout, Foster successfully defended his title with a twelfth round stoppage of Eduardo Hernandez in October of last year.

The current landscape of the 130lb. Jr. Lightweight division is one that is wide open with five current world champions atop the division. When such a scenario occurs in the sport, there is usually a question of which of the current world champions can emerge as the division’s central figure, which in turn could at least in theory, pave the way to potential unification bouts with the assumed goal of establishing one world champion. Foster now prepares to make a case for himself as potentially that central figure against Abraham Nova.

Nova, a veteran of twenty-four professional fights, has only lost one bout in his career, which came in June 2022 when he was knocked out in five rounds at the hands of Robeisy Ramirez, coincidentally in the same venue where this fight will take place. Since that setback, Nova has won back to back fights via decision. Although he is rated just outside of the top ten in the World Boxing Council’s (WBC) Jr. Lightweight ratings, he does have punching power in having scored sixteen knockouts in his twenty-three career wins, in registering a near 70% career knockout percentage. From a statistical standpoint, this gives him at least on paper a slight edge compared to the champion, who will come into the fight with a record of 21-2, with 12 Knockouts, which gives Foster a career knockout percentage of just over 57%.

While sometimes statistics turn out to be little more than information on a piece of paper or a screen on a given device, what those numbers should indicate is both champion and challenger do have the ability to get an opponent out of there should the opportunity present itself. As for whether or not that opportunity will emerge in this fight, only time will tell.

At his best, O'Shaquie Foster is a very well-balanced boxer that is very compact in how he throws his punches, has good lateral movement, and is a world-class counter puncher. There have been times however, where he has been clipped by punches in the midst of exchanges. While those instances have not manifested in the form of getting knocked out, it is something the champion needs to keep in mind when going against a fighter that has power as Nova has.

On the flip side of the equation, the challenge for Abraham Nova is going to be whether he can limit Foster’s ability to move and cut the ring off where the terms of the combat and how it is fought may be more in his favor. It may be a task that is easier said than done given Foster's hand speed and his ability to be accurate with his punches. Nova must be tactical and avoid being overly aggressive due to the aforementioned attributes in Foster’s skillset if he wants to be successful in this fight.

While this fight does not have a sub-plot, at least going into it, of it possibly leading to a potential unification bout later this year for the winner, what it does have is a story of a world champion looking to establish himself as the best in his division going against a fighter that has the biggest opportunity in his career before him. Sometimes there is not much needed other than what looks to be a competitive fight on paper, with a world championship on the line, and it taking place in the historic Madison Square Garden. It is up to Foster and Nova to determine how this story will conclude.

“And That's The Boxing Truth.”

Foster vs. Nova takes place on Friday, February 16th at The Theater in Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY. The fight as well as it's full undercard can be seen in the United States on digital subscription sports streaming network ESPN+ beginning at 5:15PM ET/2:15PM PT.

ESPN+ is available through the ESPN app on mobile, tablet, and connected streaming devices/Smart TVs. For more information about ESPN+ including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, and to subscribe please visit: www.ESPNPlus.com.

(*Card and Start Time Subject to Change.*)

(*Check your local listings internationally.*)