- What: WBC Junior Lightweight Title Fight
- Who: O’Shaquie Foster vs. Abraham Nova
- Date: Friday, February 16, 2023
- Time: 9:00 p.m. ET
- Location: The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY
- How to Watch: ESPN, ESPN+
On Friday, O’Shaquie Foster attempts to defend his WBC junior lightweight title for the second time when he faces Abraham Nova at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City on a Top Rank card. Here is some background on the fighters before we discuss, in detail, the betting breakdown of the O’Shaquie Foster vs. Abraham Nova title fight.
O’Shaquie Foster (21-2 with 12 knockouts) heads into Friday’s title fight on an 11-fight winning streak. The 30-year-old from Orange, Texas, is the No. 2 rated junior welterweight according to The Ring. He trails Emanuel Navarrete in those ratings. Foster won the vacant WBC junior lightweight title in February 2023 with a decision win over Rey Vargas. His first defense was an October TKO win over Eduardo Hernandez. Foster hasn’t lost since Rolando Chinea defeated him via split decision in 2026.
Abraham Nova (23-1) is the No. 12 rated junior lightweight in the WBC. The 30-year-old, who fights out of Puerto Rico, has wins in his past two outings. The only loss of Nova’s career came in July 2022 when Robeisy Ramirez stopped him via TKO in the same building he competes in on Friday.
Before we look at the junior lightweight title fight between O’Shaquie Foster and Abraham Nova, check out the best boxing betting sites, where you can find the best boxing picks.
O’Shaquie Foster vs. Abraham Nova betting picks
O’Shaquie Foster betting breakdown
The defending champion, O’Shaquie Foster, suffered his two career losses early in his career, which is often a death knell for young boxers, but he showed his tenacity and toughness by working his way back up the rankings to get to where he is today, the owner of the WBC junior lightweight title.
Foster does his best work at distance. He is a good technical boxer who has a better-than-average skill set. He is quick on his feet and works well from the outside, where he can lead with his jab, but he also has good countering skills. However, Foster can get frustrated if he’s pressured. He isn’t fully comfortable with an opponent who can walk him down and keep him from implementing his game plan..
The champ sometimes leaves himself open when throwing his jab because he tends to throw that punch without a follow-up blow. That’s something he needs to avoid against Nova. Foster’s defense also presents openings when in his defensive stance.
Abraham Nova betting breakdown
The big question facing Abraham Nova in this matchup is if he’s maxed out his skill set and reached his limit against top-notch opponents. The fight against O’Shaquie Foster should answer that question.
Nova moved up to junior lightweight after his loss to Robeisy Ramirez. He looks more comfortable at the heavier weight but has retained his speed and power. Speaking of that power, he does his best work in close range and has stopping power in his hands.
The challenger on Friday, Nova, fights with a low guard, which leaves him open for his opponent’s offense. He relies on his speed and footwork too often on the defensive side of the equation.
Nova also leaves himself open defensively and sometimes struggles to cut off the ring against fighters with good movement.
Best bets for O’Shaquie Foster vs. Abraham Nova
This should be an entertaining scrap, but O’Shaquie Foster is the better all-around fighter, and he should be able to create more opportunities to score by exploiting the weaknesses of Abraham Nova in this fight. The betting pick is for O’Shaquie Foster to beat Abraham Nova by decision and retain his WBC junior lightweight title.
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