The backdrop suggested a picturesque vacation destination, but O’Shaquie Foster and Eduardo ‘Rocky’ Hernandez were all business during their first meeting.
A photo opportunity along the beach behind the Cancun Hotel Strip turned into a heated debate over who would leave this weekend with the WBC junior lightweight title in tow. Foster (20-2, 11KOs) —who hails from the greater Houston area—attempts his maiden defense versus Mexico City’s Hernandez (34-1, 31KOs), a first-time title challenger who is confident of keeping the belt on his side of the U.S./Mexico border.
“I want that belt,” Hernandez insisted as he pointed at the title draped over Foster’s shoulder. “And the new! And the new. You beat a 126-pounder to win that title. You’re not doing that to me.”
Naturally, it sparked the first disagreement among the two camps.
“This belt’s coming home with me,” insisted Foster, who outpointed then-unbeaten WBC featherweight titlist in their vacant 130-pound title fight this past February in San Antonio. “But I’m glad you finally took off your (sunglasses), I can look into your soul.”
Their bout headlines a DAZN show this Saturday from Poliforum Benito Juarez in Cancun.
Hernandez took it all in as his team did most of the talking for him during the first fight week staredown. The streaking knockout artist—who has stopped his last six opponents and has scored knockouts in each his last 28 wins—smiled as manager Hector Fernandez transitioned from translating for his charge to speaking directly to Foster.
“You ain’t ready for this,” insisted Fernandez. “You don’t want this smoke.”
The defending and visiting titlist had a different take on the developing rivalry.
“Why did he take a stay-busy fight,” questioned Foster, who has won eleven in a row. “Why couldn’t he come straight to me? He could’ve been the mandatory. Don’t cap!”
Hernandez accepted the fight shortly after he inked a promotional deal with Matchroom Boxing, who presents Saturday’s event and who won the purse bid to secure the rights to the fight. The 25-year-old Mexican has earned his last three paydays on Matchroom shows, including a third-round knockout of Hector Garcia on July 7 in Monterrey.
“I don’t know why he is saying I was scared to fight him,” noted Hernandez during Thursday’s press conference. “I’m not scared of anyone, and it is his fault that the fight went to purse bids.”
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox