Foster On Navarrete's Weight Bullying Ahead Of Unification

O'Shaquie Foster believes Emanuel Navarrete has built his record on opponents who could not match his size — and the American says that advantage disappears when they meet for unification.

Foster told Ring Magazine that Navarrete struggled against naturally bigger fighters like Oscar Valdez's conqueror Robson Conceicao and Ukrainian technician Denys Berinchyk, both of whom tested the Mexican at 130 and 135 pounds. According to Foster, Navarrete's success came against men who had campaigned at lighter divisions.

Foster Says Navarrete Has Not Seen His Speed

"I'm not the guys he's been weight bullying," Foster said, per Bad Left Hook. "He has not seen the power or the speed that I possess and he gonna realize that, fight night."

Foster dismissed concerns about Navarrete's rangy, unorthodox attack, pointing out that his own length neutralizes the advantage Navarrete used to overwhelm smaller men. He added that he plans to control distance and apply punishment rather than retreat.

The WBC titleholder also confirmed Shakur Stevenson remains on his radar despite no longer chasing the matchup. "Everybody know that if I can fight anybody, that's who I would put my hands on," Foster said, though he stressed his focus is not dependent on landing that fight.

Foster and Navarrete are expected to finalize terms for a December unification bout, with the winner in line to pursue undisputed status at junior lightweight.

Reported via:

• Bad Left Hook — ‘I’m not the guys he’s been weight bullying’: O’Shaquie Foster talks Emanuel Navarrete unification