Emanuel Navarrete needed a dramatic finish, but O’Shaquie Foster delivered it. Foster dropped Navarrete twice in the 12th round Saturday night, completing a unanimous decision victory that gave him three world titles at super featherweight.
Foster retained his WBC championship and collected Navarrete’s WBO and IBF belts with scores of 118-108, 118-108, and 115-111. The vacant Ring Magazine title also went to Foster following the DAZN main event at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas.
The final round captured the trouble Navarrete had faced throughout the fight. He came forward looking for a knockout, leaving openings that Foster exploited with counter right hands. Navarrete got up from both knockdowns, but there was no late escape from a defeat built over the preceding rounds.
Foster established his speed advantage early. Leaping hooks, straight punches, and quick changes of position left Navarrete struggling to get his feet close enough to launch effective attacks. The Mexican kept throwing, but his wide punches often gave Foster time to see them coming and respond.
Navarrete had a stronger third round when he trapped Foster near the ropes and attacked the body. A sustained combination forced Foster to defend, showing what could happen when Navarrete reached punching range without chasing.
He couldn’t repeat that success consistently. Foster took back the initiative with jabs downstairs, sharp counters, and movement that made Navarrete work for every opportunity. When the distance closed, Foster also tied him up rather than let the pressure build.
There was still danger late. Navarrete landed well in the tenth and hurt Foster with a heavy punch near the end of the 11th, briefly raising the possibility of a turnaround.
Foster’s response was his strongest round of the night. Instead of simply protecting his lead, he punished Navarrete’s aggression with the two knockdowns, leaving the former unified champion to rely on his toughness to reach the bell. Foster finished with the belts after making his accuracy count against Navarrete’s pressure.