The fourth time was the charm. Robson Conceição upset O’Shaquie “Ice Water” Foster by a split decision to win the WBC junior lightweight world title in a tactical affair.
Conceição had previously fallen short in world title bids three times before but did just enough to edge the defending champion in a verdict that sparked immediate debate.
Nonetheless, Conceição( 19-2-1, 9 KOs) prevailed by scores of 116-112 and 115-113, while Foster held a 116-112 edge on the third card. Foster, who won the belt in February 2023, made two title defenses before Saturday night’s stunner.
“This is for my daughter. I promised this to my daughter, and I was able to fulfill that promise. I’m the champion of the world,” Conceição said.
Foster (22-3, 12 KOs) outlanded his challenger, 109-76, and vehemently disagreed with the verdict.
“I don’t know, man. I thought it was easy. I thought it was an easy fight. I didn’t get touched except with a headbutt. I don’t know, man,” Foster said. “I’ll be back. But I want the rematch.
“They stole this from me. They stole this fight from me. I just wanted to show the world I could bang it out, and if I want to, I don’t have to get touched. I guess it wasn’t good enough for the judges.”
Other results:
Lightweight: Cleveland-born prodigy Abdullah Mason (14-0, 12 KOs) opened the ESPN telecast with a flourish, knocking out Luis Lebron in the third round. Lebron (20-6-1, 13 KOs) had never been stopped before, and Mason made easy work of the Puerto Rican veteran. Mason knocked Lebron twice in the second, first with an overhand left and then with a series of right hooks. The end was near, and Lebron’s corner threw in the towel at 1:18 of the third to prevent further damage.
Mason said, “I guess we fed him a little bit of smoke, and he didn’t have the appetite for it.”
Junior Lightweight: In a crossroads battle of 130-pound contenders, Dominican standout Eridson Garcia (19-1, 12 KOs) notched a one-sided 10-round decision over William Foster III (17-2, 11 KOs) by scores of 99-91 and 98-92 2x.
Featherweight: Newark-born prospect Keith Colon (1-0, 1 KO) had a successful professional debut, blasting out Hunter Turbyfill (4-2, 1 KO) in the second round. Colon connected on a series of right uppercuts, which backed Turbyfill into the blue corner and prompted referee Shada Murdaugh to stop the bout.
Junior Welterweight: Kelvin Davis (13-0, 7 KOs), the eldest brother of the fighting DB3 family, used his southpaw jab and long reach to turn away the stiff challenge of Kevin Johnson (12-4, 8 KOs) by eight-round majority decision (76-76 and 78-74 2x). Davis built a 6-0 lead on two of the judges’ scorecards, which was too much for the Las Vegas-based veteran to overcome.
Heavyweight: Ali Feliz (3-0, 2 KOs) went the distance for the first time as a pro, overcoming a game Robinson Perez (2-1) en route to a four-round unanimous decision victory. Scores: 40-36 3x.
