RESULTS: O'SHAQUIE FOSTER 'SHOCKS' REY VARGAS, WINS VACANT JR. LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE

By: Jay Calderon 

On Saturday atthe Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, and live on Showtime Championship Boxing, O'Shaquie Foster upset the odds, earning a comfortable decision over previously-unbeaten Rey Vargas, capturing a vacant portion of the 130 pound gold.

Foster started well, coming out orthodox and boxing well in the first frame. In the second, Foster was landing solid shots and pushing the action just a bit, landing the more telling blows, including a few stiff right hand counters. Vargas was simply not finding his range through the first two frames.

Between the third and fifth rounds, Foster had most of the success. Vargas was landing a bit more but Foster was coming back with more, and usually better work. Vargas was reaching with many of his shots, as he seemed unable to close the gap against the quick Texan.

In the sixth, Vargas was looking to get more active. However, the movement and countering of Foster was keeping the Mexican at bay. It felt as though anytime a punch would miss for Vargas, Foster would step in and land a shot of his own. Neither man was particularly busy, but the better work was coming from Foster. The seventh was a closer round, one a generous judge could give to Vargas.

In the eighth, Vargas was still trying to press, but the quicker counters of Foster seemingly continued to make the bigger mark. However, in the ninth, Vargas was doing a bit better on the back foot, jabbing well and perhaps looking the more effective boxer.

Foster had a solid tenth round, landing a solid right hand and doing a good job of neutralizing some of the adjustments Vargas had made in the last few rounds. Foster was coming forward in the eleventh, and remaining focused, never letting Vargas set up and get his work going.

In the final round of action, Vargas and his corner knew he needed a solid frame. However, it was Foster that was stepping in and placing the better shots. A big overhand right seemed to stun Vargas, and Foster was continuing to step inside and find that perfect range. Vargas looked tired and out of ideas as Foster was still sharp and quick on his feet down the stretch.

While scorecards can get crazy in Texas, they seemed right on the money in this encounter, with tallies of 116-112, 117-111, 119-109 all in favor of O'Shaquie Foster. JOB had it for Foster, 116-112.

OTHER RESULTS:

Mario Barrios def. Jovanie Santiago, 8TKO (Welterweight)

Lenier Pero def. Viktor Faust, 8TKO (Heavyweight)
 

To check out the rest of the results, click here.

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