Litchfield's Brad Foster found himself on questionable points defeat on the undercard of the Boxxer Promotions show at Wolverhampton’s Civic Hall (18.11.22). Foster (26) who has moved up to featherweight was taking on Boxxer Promotions hot prospect 23-year-old Rhys Edwards in a ten three-minute minute round contest. Edwards who had a Stella amateur career came into this contest undefeated winning all 14 of his pro fights, and was Edwards first ten-round contest. Foster who is a former British and Commonwealth super-bantamweight champ was fighting out of the away corner and was looking to continue rebuilding his career after losing his titles to Jason Cunningham in October of 2021. Edwards weighed in Nine stone one with Foster coming in nine Stone dead with Ron Kearney reffing these ten-round featherweight contests.
Steady start by both fighters who both got good shots off, Foster won the round with the higher work rate. Foster started the second well getting some nice combinations off, Edwards returned fire with some nice shots with Foster sustaining a cut above his left eye from one of the shots. This seemed to spark Foster into life with him finishing the round strong. Foster’s corner did a good job of stopping the bleeding from the cut, Foster used his jab well working behind it and landing some good shots with Edwards returning fire and landing good shots of his own, even round. The fourth was a great round with both fighters showing their boxing knowledge as they both looked to faint and set traps. Foster was warned for hitting after the ref had called a break but won the round with the better work rate. The fifth was another cagey round with both fighters landing good shots but Foster was just outworking Edwards.
Foster started to move through the gears and was landing some eye-catching combinations and dictating the pace in the sixth winning the round with ease. Foster started the seventh well landing some nice flurries and going to the body well, Edwards was having joy and had moments in all the rounds but was just being outworked. Foster seemed to take the eighth round off as Edwards worked well behind his jab and landed nice combinations to win the round. Foster started the ninth round well but Edwards stepped it up landing some nice shots Foster sustained a cut on his nose, close round but Edward nicked it. It was a very close final round with Edwards getting it with a strong finish.
Referee Ron Kearney scored the fight 97 to 94 Edwards I had it 97 to 94 Foster
Dexter’s Thoughts
I honestly could not believe the result of this fight, I had it completely the other way. I don’t know what fight Ron Kearney was looking at, but he has definitely devoured the hone corner. You can argue that some of the rounds were close but in these close ones, Foster either started or finished the rounds strongman sometimes both. I hope this defeat doesn’t negatively affect Foster as at the age of 26 he still has his best years in front of him. In my opinion, it was a very questionable decision but these things happen when you are in the away corner not that that makes it OK. Even the people at home on the Sky app and commentator Mathew Macklin had Foster winning so I feel his frustration. The one thing he can take away from this fight is that he boxed extremely well and looked good at featherweight. I look forward to seeing him in the ring very soon.