GRADES: O'SHAQUIE FOSTER, REY VARGAS, MARIO BARRIOS & ADAM AZIM

By: Jay Calderon

It's always fun when we have a weekend that involves a fun, somewhat unexpected upset. And that's what we got with O'Shaquie Foster soundly defeating Rey Vargas to capture a portion of the gold at 130 pounds.

On the undercard in San Antonio, Texas, we also saw Mario Barrios pick up a solid win -- his first win in over two years. And, earlier in the day (at least from an American stand point), we saw 140 pound prospect Adam Azim pick up some decent rounds over the previously-unbeaten Santos Reyes in London.

So, with out much more lead in, let's get to these grades.

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O'SHAQUIE FOSTER: A

RESULT: DEF. REY VARGAS, 12UD (Jr. Lightweight)

This was basically a pitch perfect performance by the Texas native O'Shaquie Foster.

It wasn't just that he won, or that he handed Rey Vargas his first loss as a professional. It's that, more or less, he did it with little to no trouble throughout much of their twelve round encounter.

Foster took an early lead in the contest, keeping it simple. He countered out of the orthodox stance, made Vargas pay when he made a mistake, and racked up the frames. While Vargas had his moments in the middle rounds, they weren't nearly enough.

Foster also managed to close strong in the biggest fight of his career, looking incredibly fresh after the final bell. He legitimately seemed as though he could have gone another few rounds.

It's difficult to see just how far he can go at this point. He was predicted to lose by yours truly in large part because he's never put forth this sort of win against anyone near the level of Vargas. Perhaps this is his coming out party...or, maybe Vargas just isn't a legitimate 130 pounder and suffered as a result.

Either way, Foster delivered on the night and gets the near perfect grade for the win.

REY VARGAS: C-

RESULT: LOSS TO O'SHAQUIE FOSTER, 12UD (Jr. Lightweight)

How quickly things can chance.

When setting up this fight, I'm sure many in the Vargas camp expected to join the ranks of other top Mexicans that moved up in weight and managed to capture gold in three weight classes. Now, instead of wondering where Vargas ranks historically, you have to wonder where he goes from here after his loss to O'Shaquie Foster.

To get some good out of the way, Vargas didn't fold. He couldn't get much going, but he was trying. Even after a poor start, Vargas attempted to turn to tide in those middle frames. Still, it was all for naught, as Foster had an answer for everything.

Now, you have to wonder how safely Vargas can get back down to 126 pounds -- where he still holds gold -- and equally concern yourself with whether or not he can be successful at 130 pounds.

Based on the evidence thus far, it appears as though he just doesn't have the same advantages at Jr. Lightweight as he does in the lower weight divisions.

MARIO BARRIOS: B+

RESULT: DEF. JAVONIE SANTIAGO, 8TKO (Welterweight)

After 25 professional fights of nothing but success, Mario Barrios ran into a bit of a roadblock when he faced Gervonta Davis back in 2021. Soon thereafter, he followed it up with another defeat, this times at the hands of Keith Thurman the following year.

Now, for the first time since a victory of Ryan Karl in October of 2020, Barrios is back in the win column with his stoppage over Jovanie Santiago.

More or less, it was about as good a performance as you could expect from Barrios in a one-sided contest with an overmatched opponent. Truthfully, the grade is really only held back by the quality of opposition. This same performance against a better ranked foe and this is definitely in the As.

Still, Barrios was great for what it was on the night. He showed some solid wrinkles to his game, didn't let his foot off the gas, and made sure the fight didn't see those latter rounds. Barrios made sure he got decent work, but didn't let the performance get questionable by allowing his opponent to linger about too long.

Overall, a solid comeback win for Barrios.

ADAM AZIM: B

RESULT: DEF. SANTOS REYES, 10UD (Jr. Welterweight)

It wasn't a breakout performance by any stretch, but it didn't necessarily have to be. Adam Azim did what he had to on the night, easily handled a previously-undefeated Santos Reyes over ten experience-building rounds, and easily got the win. Can't ask for too much more.

However, if I were to ask, I might have requested a bit more variety. Again, he didn't put himself in any unneeded trouble, he made the right choices. But, could he have thrown a few more combinations and pressed on the gas a bit more? Sure.

It wasn't that his performance lacked anything it needed, it's that it didn't have anything extra a fan might want. There was nothing to make Azim stand out in a very loaded 140 pound division. Still, he did what was needed.

Azim earned some experience, keeps it moving, and lives to truly impress another night.