American fighter O’Shaquie Foster can count himself as a world champion once more after defeating Brazilian champion Robson Conceicao this past weekend by split-decision. The two headlined a Top Rank show on Saturday, November 2, at the Turning Stone Casino & Resort in Verona, New York.

Robson Conceicao Vs. O’Shaquie Foster

In July, Robson Conceicao (19-3-1, 9 KO’s) became the WBC super featherweight (130 lbs) champion after defeating then-incumbent champion O’Shaquie Foster (23-3, 12 KO’s) by split-decision (SD)―a result that was considered controversial then.

Last Saturday, the two entered an immediate rematch to settle affairs and hopefully draw a conclusion that was not dubious. However, the competitiveness of their second bout may have sparked the need for a trilogy bout.

Conceicao and Foster were both active, but it would be Conceicao who set himself apart in the first half, largely outworking Foster who only seemed to take the lead back in the second half―particularly in the championship [last three] rounds.

Following the 12 rounds, it would be O’Shaquie Foster who would hold up the WBC 130 lbs title after winning by SD through narrow scorecards of 115-113 twice, and one 113-115 in favor of Conceicao.

The scorecards seemed fair, with only one round separating both fighters from suffering a draw; which given the competitiveness of the bout would not have been an unjust result. As such, the conclusion of the bout seems to warrant a trilogy more or less and with both fighters now 1-1 against each other, a third match would draw a fitting conclusion to the surprising rivalry that spun into life between Foster and Conceicao.

This was made more prevalent by Foster’s own post-match words where he remarked on himself not being at his best, lending more credence to the need for a trilogy fight.

Undercard Results:

In the same 130 lbs division, American contender Abraham Nova (23-3-1, 16 KO’s) surprisingly drew by split-decision with fellow countryman Humberto Galindo (14-3-3, 11 KO’s). The two engaged for a full 10 rounds but despite Nova’s status as a former world title challenger, the 30- year old contender could not decisively grab a victory, spelling questions surrounding his own ability ot compete for a world title while the 24-year old Galindo set himself apart as a decent, and potentially even fringe, contender.

American top-rated lightweight (135 lbs) contender, Raymond Muratalla (22-0, 17 KO’s) netted a technical knockout (TKO) victory against Mexican super lightweight (140 lbs) fighter Jesus Antonio Perez Campos (25-6, 18 KO’s). Campos, best known for defeating a former world champion in Joseph Diaz (33-6-1, 15 KO’s) in the match prior, only lasted 2 rounds.

21-year old American middleweight (160 lbs) prospect Jahi Tucker (13-1-1, 6 KO’s) fought against compatriot Quilisto Madera (14-6, 9 KO’s), stopping the 32-year old contender in the last round of their 8-round fight to net a TKO victory.