Alan Dawson Uncrowned Updated Sun, October 25, 2026 at 5:19 PM UTC About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement O'Shaquie Foster delivered one of the year's most impressive boxing performances on Saturday, taming the unrelenting ferocity of Emanuel Navarrete to win a lopsided decision and become the WBC, WBO and IBF unified super featherweight champion at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio.
It was a satisfying fight in more ways than one — an 130-pound epic featuring two of the most talented fighters in the sport, and a performance of the year contender for Foster. But it was also a much-needed display from Top Rank, the longtime promotional entity which spent the bulk of last year broadcast-homeless. On Saturday, however, Top Rank gave its new platform, DAZN, a taste of what it can perhaps expect, through its conveyor belt of up-and-coming talents, and, of course, its present-day champions.
In 2026, boxing appears to have produced more headlines for affairs beyond the ropes, rather than what happens within, like Eddie Hearn and Dana White's feud, or whether Saul "Canelo" Alvarez and Christian Mbilli's bout should still proceed on Oct. 31 in Riyadh when the region is under threat from continued missile and drone strikes.
Foster and Navarrete combined in Texas to remind critics what boxing can be like when it gets it right.
Boxing can be brutal yet captivating, an art form, and one of the purest expressions of combat. Navarrete, a three-division champion, expresses that through wild shot-selection with hard punches thrown from unconventional angles. Foster, a two-time 130-pound champion, is meanwhile a technical master. Their clash of styles alone suggested Saturday's fight could become a classic — and boy, did it deliver.
The pace was unrelenting. The skill level was high. And the punches never stopped coming.
If anybody was expecting a knockdown or knockout, Navarrete (40-3-1, 33 KOs) would likely have been the pick. However, the Mexican brawler struggled to find his rhythm throughout the early and middle rounds thanks to Foster's defensive acumen, and in the final round it was Foster (26-3, 12 KOs) who found two fight-sealing knockdowns, overpowering Navarrete during frenetic exchanges thanks to the timing of his right hands.
It put the win beyond doubt for Foster, who secured a unanimous decision with scores of 118-108, 118-108 and 115-111.
"I knew he was going to be strong, awkward," Foster said post-fight.
"He's a great champion but I had a bit more in me tonight. I felt I was the better inside fighter and outside fighter, and I feel I proved it."
Foster then aimed his sights directly at the winner of the Dec. 19 fight between WBA super featherweight champion Anthony Cacace and Nick Ball, calling for a chance to become the division's undisputed champion to kick off his 2027 campaign.
Foster's victory wasn't the only notable win from the show, as Albert Gonzalez (19-0, 12 KOs) defeated Edward Vazquez (20-4, 6 KOs) with a second-round knockout in an exhilarating co-feature to thrust himself into possible title contention at featherweight.
Further down the card, Deric "Scooter" Davis (13-0, 10 KOs) out-finessed Joaquin Silva Faccio (10-2, 4 KOs) to win a unanimous decision after eight rounds, and, on the prelims, Sammy Contreras (9-0, 3 KOs) defeated Oscar Pedroza Padilla (8-3-1, 3 KOs) with a six-round win on points to announce himself as a considerable prospect.
Unified super featherweight championship: O'Shaquie Foster (WBC) def. Emanuel Navarrete (WBO/IBF) via unanimous decision (115-111, 118-108, 118-108)
Featherweight: Albert Gonzalez def. Edward Vazquez via second-round KO | Watch knockout
Super lightweight: Frank Martin def. Tarik Zaina via seventh-round TKO | Watch knockout
Lightweight: Deric Davis def. Joaquin Silva Faccio via unanimous decision (80-72, 80-72, 80-72)
Lightweight: Sammy Contreras def. Oscar Pedroza Padilla via unanimous decision (60-54, 60-54, 60-54)
Super bantamweight: Daniel Cortez III def. Joshua Montoya via split decision (58-56, 56-58, 58-56)
Super welterweight: Joseph Almajdi def. Miqal Dolphus via unanimous decision (60-54, 60-54, 60-54)
"I want to thank Navarrete," Foster said. "I knew he was going to be strong, awkward. He's a great champion but I had a bit more in me tonight. I felt I was the better inside fighter and outside fighter and I feel I proved it. He can punch. But I've got a chin. I'm strong."
Foster said he'd be open to fighting Charly Suarez, the winner of Nick Ball and Anthony Cacace's fight, and would happily take on Shakur Stevenson, too.
The WBC, WBO, and IBF super featherweight champion of the woooorld … O'Shaquie, Ice Water, Foster!
Navarrete hurls a lot of body shots in the 12th. He needs a knock down. AND DOWN GOES NAVARRETE! Foster gets the knockdown! The drama is incredible! This is boxing! Foster leveling up with a performance of his life! Foster's right hand drops Navarrete! FOSTER GETS TWO KNOCKDOWNS IN A SINGLE ROUND! Can Foster close the show? This is INCREDIBLE FROM THE AMERICAN! Foster has hands! 10 seconds to go. What a fight. What a win!
Navarrete keeps that momentum into the 11th, finding any way in, with whatever punch works. A lot of jabs. Great activity and heart and intent from Navarrete. A lot of this fight was all Foster but yet Navarrete never let it beat his spirit. Good body-shot from Navarrete. Then Foster swings, misses, and touches the canvas. The referee pauses and has them box on. Has Navarrete hurt Foster?! The bell goes! What a fight!
Not only is Foster limiting Navarrete to a mere six puncheslanded per round, he's almost doubling those numbers himself. He's also almost twice as accurate. The pace has slowed a little, moreso from Navarrete. But the punches keep coming. Navarrete throws uppercuts. Jabs. This is much better from Emanuel. This round might be his. But Foster is still there. Comfortable standing in front of Navarrete. Not even scared.
This is a near masterclass from Foster, blocking Navarrete's shots. Hitting him to the body in response. Keeping him at bay. Popping off. It's not just the jab. It's the sequences. Big right hand to Navarrete's chin! AND AGAIN! Nice right hand from Foster.
A big right hand from Foster, thrown with accuracy rather than power, snaps Navarrete's head back! Foster's glove placement ensures Navarrete's hopeful shots are blocked. But he lands a body shot. This is so impressive from Foster, even in a quieter round. Navarrete hits air. Foster catches flesh.
Navarrete is rocked! Foster lands a massive left hook and that has hurt Navarrete! Oh my GOODNESS! If there was going to be a knockout, you'd be forgiven for siding with Navarrete. But can Foster get the stoppage? He's shown he's got enough power to do just that! This could be a superstar-making performance from Foster!
Foster catches and shoots. He throws two. He throws three. All while continuing his reputation as one of the greatest defensive fighters in boxing. A matador to Navarrete's bull. Navarrete, again, almost throws himself out of his boots. He lands a jab. Misses with hooks. All while Foster takes a breather even if he's not out of breath. Foster lands a BIG shot then gets out the way. This is all surgical but scrappy. And it's awesome.
Foster keeps a left glove high to protect himserlf from Navarrete's punches, and he circles away with pace to avoid even more of his opponents shots. When Foster plants his feet, he lands three punches, all different. Navarrete goes for uppercuts. He throws so hard he almost punches himself off-balance. Foster lands shots that touch as well as clang. This is an exceptional fight.
Foster gets back onto his jab in the fourth. And he's boxing with power after it. Foster almost bullying Navarrete in the fourth, happy to fight fire with fire. If it's an exchange he's after, Navarrete is dangerous but Foster maybe as confident of his defense from the pocket as he is from range. The atmosphere in San Antonio is so good. These are some passionate fight fans and this fight is a treat for them. Good right from Foster. Better bounceback round for him. He ducks underneath Navarrete's power, as the Mexican almost "swung himself out of his boots" as the DAZN commentators said. MAN THIS FIGHT IS GOOD! Big shots from Foster. Big round.
I've spoken to Foster one-to-one and in roundtables and his chill is off the charts but in the ring he's all business, all focus. He keeps his eyes on Navarrete, a fighter he's clearly studied well. Great ring generalship from Foster. And now here comes a wild Navarrete charge! Just swanging and banging! What a complete contrast in styles and approaches to boxing! It's like fighters from two different disciplines or sports. And the crowd is really into it, mostly for Navarrete, cheering any punch regardless of whether it lands or is blocked. Navarrete makes Foster smile with a big right hand! These guys are wonderfully psycho.
Compubox data suggested Navarrete did not land a single punch in the opening round! My goodness! What a performance from Foster, so far. Just delightful hand-speed, foot-speed, and movement. Shot selection and ring IQ. Foster has it all and this could be his coming out party. Foster posts with his left glove to keep Navarrete away, even though Emanuel does make it relatively ugly. Regardless, Foster keeps up and continues boxing beautiful. WAIT! WOAH! Navarrete punched Foster off-balance and it looked like he'd fall. The crowd went wild but as Foster stayed standing, it's unclear if the referee would have ruled it a slip or what! This is fire! And Foster is ice. Navarrete with a HUGE body shot then an uppercut that missed. Better second round from Navarrete but is it enough to take the 10?
Navarrete, an excellent body-puncher, targeted Foster's midsection in an attempt to slow his pace as the American pumped him with a succession of jabs with lateral movement. Considering Navarrete's wildman tactics, throwing from unconventional angles, the first round was all Foster — an exhibition of hit and don't get hit.
But something tells me this will have been worth waiting for.
And aside from that 60-minute interlude, the show has been paced okay. Decent prelims. Some good talent to watch. Now, for the present. Winner gets Lomachenko.
Source: Sports
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