Rey Vargas 36-0 (22) will be vying for his third world title in as many weight classes when he takes on O’Shaquie Foster 19-2 (11) for the vacant WBC super featherweight title at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on Saturday night.
For 29-year-old Texan Foster, this is the opportunity for him to prove he belongs at the top level.
“I just woke up, so I’m not losing any sleep thinking about him,” Foster said.
“He can talk that talk, but he better know that I’m not Mark Magsayo or any of those guys he’s fought. The strength and the speed is different. He’s going to feel me. Whether it’s the first round or whatever round I stop him in, or if it goes all 12 rounds, he’s going to take a beating the whole time…
“I’d love to unify titles after a win on Saturday, but first we have to send Rey back down to 126 pounds.”
Mexican Vargas, 32, reigned as WBC super bantamweight champion for two-and-a-half years, making five successful title defence before jumping up to featherweight for two bouts, claiming the WBC 126-pound strap from previously undefeated Mark Magsayo in his second outing.
Vargas will face a determined Foster, who has not lost a fight in almost seven years, but says he has the experience to overcome any adversity.
“He knows that I’m not just anybody and I know he’s lost sleep from the anxiety of getting ready to face me,” Vargas said. “I know that he likes to fight from either stance, but I’ve got a plan to counter anything he brings…
“I have no problem with Foster saying he wants to send me back to 126, because I know that I would beat him at 126, 130 or 135 pounds. I can guarantee that… Foster better wake up, because he isn’t going to be able to sleep through this fight. We’re coming for him and we’re coming to leave with the title.”
The undefeated Vargas believes he has been overlooked by the boxing world, but he plans to change that this weekend.
“The best way to tell the world about me is by winning another world title,” Vargas said. “I’ve been a solid world champion for a while and now I’m going to add myself to the same list as the greatest Mexican fighters of all time.”
Foster said: “I’m coming to spoil the show. I know he’s going to have the fans on his side, but by the end of the night the world is going to see what I’m really made of.”
The Alamodome is the same venue where Vargas defeated Magsayo by split decision in July.
“Alamodome is definitely a beautiful place where I have wonderful memories,” Vargas said. “This is another step into history for me and there is no better place to do it than in San Antonio. I’m looking forward to giving the fans a great show.
“Foster is very different from my last opponent. So, we have done a lot of different things in this training camp. We are ready to win another world title.”
For Foster it will be his first fight at the Alamodome as a pro, but he did box there as an amateur.
“The training camp was very good. I’m ready to be world champion. I have great memories at the Alamodome. I qualified for the Olympic trials there, so it’s going to be a fun night,” Foster said.
“I will be the first world champion to come out of my hometown, so I would be making history for Orange, Texas and raising the bar for the next generation. I am ready to show the world that I am one of the best fighters.”
