WBC junior lightweight world champion O’Shaquie “Ice Water” Foster has a date for his Top Rank debut.
Foster, of Orange, Texas, will make his second world title defense against Abraham "El Super" Nova on Friday, February 16 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden.
“O’Shaquie Foster wants to prove he is the best junior lightweight in the world, and he’ll have an opportunity to make that statement February 16 against a determined, powerful challenger in Abraham Nova,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “I look forward to another great fight night at The Theater at Madison Square Garden."
Foster won the world title in February against Rey Vargas in a bout broadcast on Showtime. He then knocked out Eduardo 'Rocky' Hernandez in the twelfth round, and is now riding an eleven fight win streak since a loss to Rolando Chinea in July, 2016.
Nova, a decorated amateur, has one career loss to the former WBO featherweight world champion, Robeisy Ramirez. Since that fight Nova has moved up to junior lightweight defeating Adam Lopez and Jonathan Romero.
“It's always been my dream to fight at Madison Square Garden, and what better promoter to make this all happen than Top Rank," said Foster. "As a kid, watching all the greats fight at MSG inspired me to want to be a part of the history that comes with fighting at such a legendary place. I'm ready to put on a show and keep proving that I'm the best fighter in the world."
The card will also feature junior middleweight Xander Zayas taking on former world champion Patrick Teixeira. This will be Zayas' first major step-up in his career.
"February 16th, back at home, MSG, Patrick Teixeira, you're next," said Zayas after the fight.
