Foster vs. Nova Preview
The Theatre at Madison Square Garden will play host to a dynamic title fight on Friday, February 16. WBC junior lightweight champion O'Shaquie Foster will defend his title against ambitious contender Abraham Nova.
Foster (21-2, 12 KO) is coming off a 12th round TKO victory over Eduardo Hernandez in October to retain his belt in one of the best fights of 2023. He won the vacant title in February 2023 by unanimous decision over Rey Vargas. The 30-year-old has not lost since 2016 and is looking to leave his mark as a dominant champion with his second successful title defense.
In this fight Foster is living his dream. “It's always been my dream to fight at Madison Square Garden, and what better promoter to make this all happen than Top Rank?” Foster said. “As a kid, watching all the greats fight at MSG inspired me to want to be a part of the history that comes with fighting at such a legendary place. I'm ready to put on a show and keep proving that I'm the best fighter in the world."
The 30-year-old is ready to prove he has grown not only as a fighter, but as a champion. “The journey has been everything,” Foster said. “The ups and downs. Growing as a person. I’ve matured now, mentally and physically. Words can’t explain how I feel, but I’m ready.”
In his last fight, Foster proved he is technically one of the best in his division, but also proved he has the grit to tough out a win. “It was crazy [against Hernandez],” said Foster, who has now won 11 consecutive fights. “We shocked the world. And I’m here to do it again. Everybody calls me Shock, and we’re going to keep doing it.”
Foster has the fight he wanted. “We’ve been calling out Nova for years,” Foster said. “He knows it. His excuse was that my name wasn’t big enough. Funny how the tables turn. I’m ready, and I’m familiar with his style.”
“I did everything in the gym. We are prepared. Come Friday night, we will dominate and put on a show.”
Nova (23-1, 16 KO) has won two straight fights since losing by KO in 2022 to Robeisy Ramirez at featherweight. He most recently defeated Jonatan Romero by third round KO in July. He is now comfortable a new weight heading into his first title fight.
"I was a lot more dehydrated, a lot more frail," Nova said of the fight with Ramirez.
"I should have communicated and said these things, but I didn't. Because I'm a fighter and I take a lot of pain. And I have a very high tolerance for pain. So when I'm not feeling well, I don't like making excuses."
He continued, "You have to put your emotions to the side and you have to understand that if your body is not feeling well and you're not nutritionally, right, you have to hire a nutritionist, you have to eat correctly."
Nova explained the difference of fighting at junior lightweight. "I knocked a lot of dudes out. I was a big puncher. What slowed me down was the coming down in weight to 126lbs. I depleted myself and wasn't able to deliver those power shots and also received those power shots," Nova said.
He issued a fair warning to Foster, "I've always been a big puncher."
The fight can be seen at 9:30pm ET on ESPN+
