In a highly anticipated match, O'Shaquie Foster defended his WBC junior lightweight title against Abraham Nova on Friday night. The bout, which was broadcast live on ESPN and ESPN+, saw Foster retain his title through a split decision victory. The judges scored the match 115-112 and 116-111 in favor of Foster, with one judge scoring it 114-113 for Nova. The fight was marked by its intensity, with both fighters having their moments. Nova appeared to have an edge early on, landing several good right hands in the second round and demonstrating significant power in the fourth. However, Foster's resilience and strategy, particularly his effectiveness as a southpaw and his late fight rallies, saw him through. A critical moment came in the 12th round when Foster scored a knockdown, sealing his victory despite the close competition throughout the match.
OโShaquie Foster retains his WBC junior lightweight title with a split decision win over Abraham Nova ๐ #FosterNova https://t.co/cI9SrFQOM8
.@OshaquieFoster rallies to win split decision over Abraham Nova, retain WBC junior lightweight belt - by @ryansongalia #FosterNova @trboxing https://t.co/kdvQO4Yfke
.@OshaquieFoster rallies to win split decision over Abraham Nova, retain WBC junior lightweight belt - The Ring #FosterNova @trboxing https://t.co/MTUcRV5Mid
OโShaquie Foster beats Abraham Nova by split decision to retain title: Highlights https://t.co/hAhL7DIrip
OโShaquie Foster retained his WBC junior lightweight title with a split-decision victory over Abraham Nova on Friday. One judge scored the bout for Nova, 114-113, but was overruled by 115-112 and 116-111 tallies. Foster scored a 12th-round knockdown. https://t.co/mUbgENRryk
O'Shaquie Foster defeats Abraham Nova by split decision (116-111, 115-112, 113-114) ๐ฅ #FosterNova https://t.co/SW60U2p8Cl
The decision: 115-112 for Foster, 114-113 Novaโฆ 116-111โฆ. Split decision winner @OshaquieFoster https://t.co/uJ1zSuQsgK
We go to the cards in #FosterNova: 115-112 Foster, 114-113 Nova, 116-111 for the winner by split decision and still WBC junior lightweight champion @OshaquieFoster. #boxing #boxing
Foster with a knockdown with 20 seconds left in rd 12, Nova wasn't really hurt, partly a slip but a left did land. They go 12. Close,close fight. #boxing #FosterNova
Big uppercut for Foster, Nova looks like he's going to fall from exhaustion. Foster is landing big punches, Nova looks like he's going to fall down from a miss. Nova down with 20 seconds to go!
Foster putting lots of pressure on Nova here in the 11th, Nova is holding on, trying to move his hands in close but almost everything he's doing is ineffective. Foster is landing short shots and turning Nova so he can't lean on him. Nova is hurt at the end of the 11th
Foster opens the tenth with a 1-2, and a a sharp counter left hook, Nova is an obvious step behind at this point, big right hands land for Foster, jabs are landing flush on Nova's beard. Dueling crowd chants at this moment
Foster coming on, Nova tiring thru 8. #boxing #FosterNova
Big round for Foster, whose speed and accuracy is at a higher level than Nova. Foster taking advantage of counterpunch opportunities, Nova is sucking wind big
Foster looks to be staging one of his late fight marches here in ninth, good uppercut in close, Nova is tying up inside and getting clipped by the faster fighter when they exchange
.@OshaquieFoster with that big left hook โก๏ธ #FosterNova | LIVE on @ESPN https://t.co/g8tfSgiNTz
Nova is throwing a lot of punches here in the seventh, and missing a lot of them. Foster isn't as active at times but landing cleaner. Could be tough to score these rounds, but I'd always want to be the guy throwing more
Foster lands a right hand finally, backs Nova to the corner, Nova looks to be fading badly, Foster is by far the fresher fighter at this point. He just needs to have two operational arms to operate.
Much more energetic 5th from both. Nova is matching Fosterโs hand speed. Foster having success rough-housing.
Wow, this is a good fight. Novah is so game. And foster does not want to lose. @trboxing @espn #FosterNova
Foster is trying to dog Nova out here in the fifth, Nova already looks tired, not as much snap on his jab, slapping more with his combos
Nova looks huge there as a 130-pounder, no idea how he made 126 before. He's finding a home for that overhand right on Foster, who appears hurt here in the fourth round. Big rally for Nova, who has put big punches on him with both hands.
Not a whole lot getting through Nova's defense, but Foster looks much more comfortable as a southpaw, and Nova's jab isn't as effective #FosterNova
Abraham Nova lands a couple good right hands in round 2, he has an edge early on as Foster pressures and looks for a way in. Nova is doing much better than the odds would have you believe was possible #FosterNova
O'Shaquie Foster vs. Abraham Nova starting now on ESPN / ESPN+ https://t.co/r5mZ21hG3G
.@TigerJohnson216 breaks down his R1 KO to @TimBradleyJR and @OsunaESPN ๐ช https://t.co/l2dCfLJ2vo
Foster vs. Nova is LIVE ๐ฅ #FosterNova | @trboxing | @ESPNPlus https://t.co/fVsb2VtqWG
Foster vs. Nova is LIVE. #FosterNova| @trboxing | @ESPNPlus https://t.co/tOLYDPlDH2
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ #FosterNova goes down tonight on @ESPN ๐ฅ๐ฝ https://t.co/LRpdyqgSW2
"I'll beat him AND his mascot!" ๐ ๐ฃ๏ธ @OshaquieFoster | #FosterNova | Tonight, 1am https://t.co/A7GvGtvfLg
World title action ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐! ๐ฟ ๐ค O'Shaquie Foster vs Abraham Nova ๐ค #FosterNova | 1am https://t.co/IIS6oB6ZoS
Why @OshaquieFoster deserves your attention. And your respect. Tonight at @msg, he defends his @wbc title vs. @abrahamnova22 #FosterNova https://t.co/riCbQWt1uR
๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ โก๏ธ #FosterNova | 9PM ET | @ESPN https://t.co/bB1B0Gkzwd
โก๏ธSHOCK FOSTER VS SUPER NOVA ๐ #FosterNova | TOMORROW 9PM ET | @ESPN https://t.co/40Mp2DdRZK
๐ฅถ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐ฏ๐ฌ ๐๐ฅ ๐๐ฎ๐ฉ๐๐ซ โก Bring on the world title clash between @OshaquieFoster & @AbrahamNova22 this weekend ๐ฅ #FosterNova | Saturday, 1am https://t.co/BQNHxZr21Q
Once written off, @OshaquieFoster has overcome adversity to become champion - The Ring #FosterNova @trboxing https://t.co/lb3XRRfRYg
Once written off, @OshaquieFoster has overcome adversity to become champion - by @ryansongalia #FosterNova @trboxing https://t.co/s5mGzZ4Kwj
That first #AndNew moment @OshaquieFoster ๐ #FosterNova | FRI 9PM ET | @ESPN https://t.co/WWwWT8rq7j
๐๐ผ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ ๐ก๐ผ๐๐ฎ ๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฒ-๐ข๐ณ๐ณ @OshaquieFoster and @abrahamnova22 square-off ahead of their bout on Friday night. ๐ฅ @trboxing #FosterNova https://t.co/6yoEa9CTvZ
OโShaquie Foster vs Abraham Nova Could Be Thrilling https://t.co/b3JvdqwUJf WHO WINS and HOW? New from @DanPDalessio
โก๏ธ FRIDAY FROM NYC. #FosterNova | FEB 16 | @ESPN https://t.co/CsDe1f4L4D
.@B_Carrington1 gets presented with his @ringmagazine โProspect of the Yearโ plaque by @CarlMoretti at the press conference for his fight with Bernard Torres at @TheGarden #FosterNova https://t.co/XPcJ2EeNAf
Super Nova packs a super punch ๐ฎ #FosterNova | FRIDAY | @ESPN https://t.co/urFboGoeLq