O’Shaquie Foster Defeats Abraham Nova by Split Decision; Retains Junior Lightweight Title

O’Shaquie Foster retained the WBC Super Featherweight world title with a 12-round split decision over Abraham Nova at The Madison Square Garden Theater.

Foster scored a knockdown in the last 20 seconds of the contest.

Foster, 130 lbs of Orange, TX won by scores of 116-111 and 115-112 with Nova taking a 114-113 card.

Foster is now 22-2. Nova, 129 lbs of Albany, NY is 23-2.

Cortes Stops Chevalier in 4

Andres Cortes remained undefeated with a fourth round stoppage over Bryan Chevelier in a 10-round junior lightweight bout.

Ringside doctors checked on Chevalier before round four began.In that round, Cortes battered Chevalier all over the ring until the corner stopped the fight at 2:17.

Cortes, 130 lbs of Las Vegas is 21-0 with 12 knockouts. Chevalier, 129 lbs of Bayamon, PR is 20-2-1.

Carrington Obliterates Torres in 4

Impressive Bruce Carrington scored a spectacular fourth round stoppage over Bernard Torres in a 10-round featherweight bout.

In round four, Carrington landed a perfect right hand that put Torres down face-first in the canvas and the fight was stopped at 2:59.

Carrington, 125.6 lbs of Brooklyn is 11-0 with seven knockouts. Torres, 125.6 lbs of The Philippines is 18-2.

Guido Vianello destroyed Moses Johnson in the opening round of their eight-round heavyweight bout,

In round one, Johnson dropped Johnson with an overhand right. The punch was ruled on the back of the head. Seconds later, Vianello dropped Johnson with a right hand. Johnson was sent down again with a hard right hand. Johnson was wobbly, but still was let to continue. Vianello dropped Johnson for a third time yet Johnson was forced to continue. Finally Vianello ended things when he decked Johnson again and the fight was waved off at 2:59.

Vianello, 242.2 lbs of Rome, ITA is 12-1-1 with 10 knockouts. Johnson, 248.4 lbs of Huntington, NY is 11-2-2.

Isaah Flaherty won a six-round unanimous decision over Julian Baptiste in a middleweight bout.

Flaherty, 158.4 lbs of Elmont, NY won by scores of 60-54 on all cards and is now 7-0. Baptiste, 158.2 lbs of Annesbury, MA is now 6-4.

In round one, Flaherty was cut on the top of the head from a head clash.

Ofacio Falcon remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over Edward Ceballos in a junior lightweight bout.

Falcon, 130 lbs of Bronx, NY won by scores of 60-54 on all cards and is now 11-0. Ceballos, 129.6 lbs of Phoenix, AZ is 11-5-1.

Tiger Johnson was impressive in stopping Paulo Galdino in the opening round of their eight-round junior welterweight bout.

In round one, Johnson landed blistering a right hand that set up a perfect left uppercut that put Galdino down. With Galdino hurt, Johnson landed a hard right that sent Galdino back on the ropes and the fight was stopped at 2:49.

Johnson, 140.4 lbs of Cleveland is 12-0 with six knockouts. Galdino, 141.8 lbs of Sao Paulo, BRA is 13-8-2.

Euri Cedeno stopped Antonio Todd in round five of their eight-round middleweight bout.

Cedeno, 159 lbs of La Romanoa, DR is 8-0-1 with seven knockouts. Todd, 158.6 lbs of Atlanta is 16-10.

Arnold Gonzalez won a six-round unanimous decision over Charles Stanford in a welterweight bout.

Gonzalez, 150 lbs of Harlem, NY won by scores of 59-55 twice and 58-56 and is now `4-0. Stanford, 147.6 lbs of Cincinnati, OH is 7-5.




Press Conference Notes: O’Shaquie Foster Ready to Defend Junior Lightweight Crown against Abraham Nova

NEW YORK (Feb. 14, 2024) — WBC junior lightweight world champion O’Shaquie “Ice Water” Foster (21-2, 12 KOs) and Abraham “El Super” Nova (23-1, 16 KOs) are ready to lock horns in the main event of an ESPN-televised tripleheader this Friday, Feb. 16 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. This will be the second title defense for Foster, a native of Orange, Texas, who salvaged his title with a come-from-behind 12th-round knockout over Rocky Hernandez last October.

In the 10-round junior lightweight co-feature, Andres “Savage” Cortes (20-0, 11 KOs) takes on Puerto Rican contender Bryan Chevalier (20-1-1, 16 KOs).

Rising featherweight Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington (10-0, 6 KOs), the latest fistic prodigy from Brownsville, Brooklyn, will face Filipino-born Bernard Torres (18-1, 8 KOs) in the 10-round televised opener.

Foster-Nova, Cortes-Chevalier and Carrington-Torres will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

The ESPN+-streamed undercard (5:20 p.m. ET/2:20 p.m. PT) will feature the return of Italian heavyweight Guido Vianello (11-1-1, 8 KOs) in an eight-rounder against Moses Johnson (11-1-2, 8 KOs), as well as U.S. Olympian Tiger Johnson (11-0, 5 KOs), who risks his unbeaten record against Paulo Galdino (13-7-2, 9 KOs) in an eight-round junior welterweight tilt.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Murphys Boxing and 12 Rounds Promotion, tickets are on sale via Ticketmaster.com.

At Wednesday’s press conference, this is what the fighters had to say.

O’Shaquie Foster
 
“The journey has been everything. The ups and downs. Growing as a person. I’ve matured now, mentally and physically. Words can’t explain how I feel, but I’m ready.”
 
“It was crazy {against Rocky Hernandez}. We shocked the world. And I’m here to do it again. Everybody calls me Shock, and we’re going to keep doing it.”
 
“We’ve been calling out Nova for years. He knows it. His excuse was that my name wasn’t big enough. Funny how the tables turn. I’m ready, and I’m familiar with his style.”
 
“I did everything in the gym. We are prepared. Come Friday night, we will dominate and put on a show.”
 
Abraham Nova
 
“Fighting for a world title is a dream come true. I can’t let this opportunity slip by. I’ve wanted this for so long. Now I have this opportunity. So, I’m super excited and super motivated.”
 
“I like to take control of things in my career. It’s the main reason I picked boxing. It’s an individual sport. I can be in control.”
 
“I’ve got to put my trust in God. Everything in the gym has been done. You know what I bring and what I come with. The pressure will be on. The IQ will be on. Everything will be on. I will just have to adjust and come out with the victory.”

Andres Cortes

“I’m really excited to be here. First time here. Let’s get the show started.”

“You can expect another statement from me. You’ll see me taking another step towards a world title.”
 
“I see a world title in my future. I’m here to take care of Bryan first. But maybe one day we can make that fight happen.”
 
Bryan Chevalier

“The ring is the same throughout the world. It’s a square. It’ll just be me, him and the referee. We’re ready to give a great show to boxing fans.
 
“Styles make fights. I prepared to give the best of me. I will accommodate to what he has. He will have to accommodate to what I have. Without a doubt, it will be a war between Mexico and Puerto Rico.”

Bruce Carrington
 
“I love these opportunities to fight at home. Bernard Torres is a southpaw. It’s always interesting to fight against a southpaw. He’s a good fighter. 18-1. Great record. He shows a lot of will and skill. There’s nothing more you can ask for in a opponent.”
 
“He’s a good fighter. But with my experience, confidence, and work ethic, I know that I’ve got a Plan A through Z and even more to take care of Bernard Torres.”
 
Bernard Torres
 
“Growing up in boxing, it’s a dream to fight here. So, I’m happy to box here at Madison Square Garden. I am really happy for this opportunity. I’m very prepared. I had a really great camp. I’m really happy and ready to go.”
 Friday, February 16
 
ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN+ (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT)
 
O’Shaquie Foster vs. Abraham Nova, 12 rounds, Foster’s WBC junior lightweight world title 
Andres Cortes vs. Bryan Chevalier, 10 rounds, junior lightweight

Bruce Carrington vs. Bernard Torres, 10 rounds, featherweight
 
ESPN+ (5:20 p.m. ET/2:20 p.m. PT)
 
Guido Vianello vs. Moses Johnson, 8 rounds, heavyweight

Isaah Flaherty vs. Julien Baptiste, 6 rounds, middleweight

Ofacio Falcon vs. Edward Ceballos, 6 rounds, junior lightweight 

Tiger Johnson vs. Paulo Galdino, 8 rounds, junior welterweight

Euri Cedeno vs. Antonio Todd, 8 rounds, middleweight 

Arnold Gonzalez vs. Charles Stanford, 6 rounds, welterweight




February 16: Andres Cortes-Bryan Chevalier & Bruce Carrington-Bernard Torres Round Out ESPN-Televised Tripleheader at The Theater at Madison Square Garden

NEW YORK CITY (Jan. 10, 2024) — Two rising talents are set to put their perfect records on the line as part of the ESPN-televised tripleheader headlined by the WBC junior lightweight showdown between reigning champ O’Shaquie “Ice Water” Foster and Abraham “El Super” Nova on Friday, Feb. 16 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden.

In the 10-round junior lightweight co-feature, Andres “Savage” Cortes takes on Puerto Rican contender Bryan Chevalier.

Rising featherweight Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington, the latest fistic prodigy from Brownsville, Brooklyn, will face Filipino-born standout Bernard Torres in the 10-round televised opener.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Murphys Boxing and 12 Rounds Promotion, tickets go on sale Friday, Jan. 12 at 12 p.m. ET via Ticketmaster.com.

Foster-Nova, Cortes-Chevalier and Carrington-Torres will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

Cortes (20-0, 11 KOs) emerged in July 2020 when he rose from the canvas to secure a unanimous decision win over Alejandro Salinas inside the MGM Grand Las Vegas Bubble. After decisioning Eduardo Garza in May 2021, Cortes shined with a first-round knockout against former world title challenger Genesis Servania three months later and a third-round TKO against Mark Bernaldez that November. The 26-year-old signed with Top Rank in March 2022 and has since gone 4-0 with two knockouts. Last July, Cortes scored a seventh-round stoppage victory over Xavier Martinez.

Cortes said, “I can’t wait to perform on the big stage at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. This is a massive opportunity, and I will put the junior lightweight division on notice. I want a world title shot, but I must perform well against a tough opponent in Chevalier to make that goal a reality. 2024 is the year I bring a world title home to Las Vegas.”

Chevalier (20-1-1, 16 KOs), a 10-year-pro, is unbeaten in his last 12 fights. He made his U.S. debut by defeating James Wilkins to capture his first regional title in July 2021. Following a yearlong absence from the ring, he returned in 2022 with TKO wins against Carlos Padilla and Cesar Juarez. The 29-year-old continued to build on his momentum last year, tallying seventh-round stoppages against Alberto Mercado in April and Ranfis Javier Encarnacion in July.

Chevalier said, “Andres Cortes is a great fighter. Boxing fans will really enjoy a great fight that night. Expect to see in me a warrior who will do everything possible to walk away victorious. That night, everyone in the boxing world will know who Bryan Chevalier is.”

Carrington (10-0, 6 KOs), 2020 U.S. Olympic Trials champion, has been rapidly ascending the ranks since turning pro in October 2021. The 26-year-old impressed with five victories in 2023, including a second-round knockout over then-unbeaten Brandon Chambers in April. In his last performance, Carrington stunned former world title challenger Jason Sanchez by knocking him out in only two rounds. Carrington enters 2024 knocking on the doorstep of title contention.

“It is always extra special to fight in at The Garden in front of my hometown fans, and I look forward to putting on a show for my people and everyone watching on ESPN,” Carrington said. “I’ve graduated from prospect to contender, and this is the year everyone sees my full arsenal.” 

Torres (18-1, 8 KOs), a Filipino-born southpaw from Norway, debuted in the paid ranks in October 2017. He went 16-0 before losing via 10-round unanimous decision to Frency Fortunato in September 2022 in his U.S. debut. The 27-year-old bounced back with an eighth-round TKO win against Cristian Avila last January in Oslo, Norway. Torres is coming off a 10-round points verdict over Tanzanian veteran Nasibu Ramadhani in June.

The ESPN+-streamed undercard features:

2016 Italian Olympian Guido “The Gladiator” Vianello (11-1-1, 9 KOs) battles Moses Johnson (11-1-2, 8 KOs) in an eight-round heavyweight contest. Vianello returns following a decision win over Curtis Harper in October. Johnson, from Huntington, New York, tallied a third-round TKO against Emilio Salas in December. 

Junior welterweight prospect Tiger Johnson (11-0, 5 KOs), a U.S. Olympian from Cleveland, Ohio, makes his 2024 debut in an eight-rounder against Brazil’s Paulo Galdino (13-7-2, 9 KOs). Johnson capped off a spotless 2023 in December with a gritty eight-round split decision over Jimerr Espinosa.

Unbeaten junior lightweight prospect Ofacio Falcon (10-0, 6 KOs) will make his second appearance at The Theater against Edward Ceballos (11-4-1, 6 KOs). Falcon, a native of The Bronx, decisioned Pedro Vicente Scharbaai in June.

Middleweight prospect Euri Cedeno (7-0-1, 6 KOs), who represented the Dominican Republic at the Tokyo Olympics, makes his New York City debut against Atlanta native Antonio Todd (15-9, 9 KOs) in an eight-rounder.

Queens-born middleweight Isaah Flaherty (6-0, 3 KOs) will see action in a six-rounder against an opponent to be named.