Houston boxer O’Shaquie Foster to fight Emanuel Navarette in battle of champions in San Antonio
It’s not the initial fight he wanted, but O’Shaquie Foster is still getting a really big matchup.
The boxer, who grew up in Orange but lives and trains in Houston, will fight Emanuel Navarette in a showdown of junior lightweight champions Oct. 24 at San Antonio’s Frost Bank Center.
When Foster successfully defended his belt in a convincing win over Raymond Ford in May, undefeated Shakur Stevenson, who trains with Ford, jumped in the ring and the two rivals, who have long bickered on social media, appeared to agree to face each other next. That fight never materialized, but Foster still is getting what will be the biggest fight of his career.
“This is the type of fight every fighter dreams about, and I’m ready for the challenge,” said Foster, who won his first world title in 2023 by outclassing undefeated Rey Vargas at the Alamodome in San Antonio. “I’m also excited to be back in San Antonio and fighting in front of all my fans, both locally and around the world. The support I’ve received throughout my career has meant everything to me, and I’m looking forward to giving everyone another performance to remember. I know I say this every time, but this truly is the biggest fight of my career. I can’t wait to put on for Texas and show the world what ‘Shock’ Foster is all about.”
It will be an interesting contrast of styles. Foster (25-3, 12 KOs), the World Boxing Council junior lightweight champion, is revered for his slick technique, making him hard to hit. Navarette (40-2-1, 33 KOs) is more of a power puncher, who has stopped both of his opponents since he moved up to 140 pounds and won the World Boxing Organization and International Boxing Federation titles after previously claiming belts at both junior featherweight (122 pounds) and featherweight (126).
“I’m coming for everything, and I’m coming with everything I’ve got,” the 31-year-old Navarette said. “I’m a Mexican warrior. I fear nothing and no one. I’m glad O’Shaquie Foster accepted the fight, because I’m coming for that third world title. I already have two, so why not three? On October 24, you’re going to see a real Mexican warrior.”
Since becoming champion, Foster, who turns 33 later this month, has proven he can get into a slugfest as well, coming back to knock out Rocky Hernandez in the 12th round in Mexico eight months after the win over Vargas.
Tickets for the fight, which will be streamed on DAZN, go on sale at 10 a.m. Sept. 11 at Ticketmaster’s website.
Although hopes were high that Foster would get a shot at Stevenson, even Foster himself doubted it would happen despite offering to move up to 140 pounds to get his fists on the man who has won titles at featherweight, junior lightweight, lightweight and light welterweight.
“I don’t know, he was talking like he would, but when I was looking in his face, he kind of looked timid,” Foster said of Stevenson shortly after beating Ford. “So, I don’t know if he was doing it as a show or not but as y’all can see I’m very serious about making that fight.”
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This article originally published at Houston boxer O’Shaquie Foster to fight Emanuel Navarette in battle of champions in San Antonio.