SUPER-FEATHER SCENES

There were two big moves in the super-featherweight division this weekend, as both O’Shaquie Foster and ‘Sugar’ Nunez laid down mean markers.

For Foster, it was a late-late show, as he wrestled back control of a fight that was slipping into the hardened hands of Abraham Nova.

Foster started flat and found himself sitting on the end of Nova’s jab, and on several occasions his heavier shots too. The switch-hitting Foster had to change things up, and so southpaw he became.

However, Nova’s big shots still managed to find a home on Foster’s temple, and the New York resident had Madison Square Garden on its feet. Foster had to hustle to stay afloat.

The champion, despite feeling pain in his right arm, managed to bounce back and bank several of the later rounds. The rhythm and timing more like the Foster we know.

As the 12th rolled around, both men knew things were tight. But it was Foster who rubber-stamped the victory with a late left-hook knockdown, one Nova swore was a slip.

True or not, the title dream had definitely slipped away from Nova, and it was Foster who would walk away as champion.

So, after two entertaining, and late-rallying defences, will the next challenge prove to be a career-defining one for the fighter who just five years ago was staring at a jail cell wall?

A small social media exchange hinted at potential talks between Foster and Leigh Wood, who was recently told he would be denied his County Ground dream this summer.

We’re a long way off yet, but that fight absolutely stinks of action.

Meanwhile, 6000 miles away in Tajikistan, things ended a lot more viciously.

Now, Mexico to Tajikistan is one heck of a journey, and one that ‘Sugar’ Nunez probably never expected to make in his career. Yet his deep dive into Central Asia has turned out to be an assignment that will shape a serious future at the top end of the 130lb scene.

He was up against hometown hero Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov, who started sharply, boxing well to oppose Nunez’s insistent pressure.

However, Nunez wasn’t just a bundle of pressure, he was much more than that, mixing his hurried approach with accurate and varied attacks. If it wasn’t for Rakhimov’s reactions, he may well have seen the final bell quicker than he eventually did.

But Rakhimov began to tire, which with Nunez in his vision was nightmarish.

The former world champion was forced to tie the Mexican up to avoid his heavy head and body work.

Somehow, he found an energy reserve from nowhere and came out strong for rounds nine and ten. Yet it was in round 11 in which his reserve fell flat, and Nunez began to hammer him up against the ropes with no substantial response.

Referee Mark Nelson stepped in, giving Nunez a stunning victory on the trickiest of roads. It’s now 27 wins, all inside the distance.

Nunez is subsequently mandatory for the IBF world title belt, held currently by Joe Cordina. However, the Welshman has recently stated his intent to either unify, or move up in weight following his May 18th defence against Anthony Cacace.

Nunez therefore could well capture a vacant belt in 2024.

With Emanuel Navarrete sitting on the 130lb throne, and the likes of Mauricio Lara and a returning Oscar Valdez in the fold, the super-featherweight scene is well and truly alive.

There is a lot of under-the-radar talent too, such as Japan’s heavy-hitting southpaw Masanori Rikiishi, and Top Rank’s talented Puerto Rican Henry Lebron.

Keep your eyes peeled on this division over the coming months as it has the potential to become very exciting.

Oscar Bevis

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