By Craig Daly: Rey Vargas and O’Shaquie Foster weighed in at 129.4 pounds each on Friday at the weigh-in for their main event fight this Saturday night for the vacant WBC super featherweight title on Showtime at the Alamodome, in San Antonio, Texas, U.S. The television portion of the card kicks off at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.
The two fighters had a long face-off, which was clocked at 45 seconds. Later, Foster, 29, pushed Vargas when the two were posing.
Former two-division world champion Vargas (36-0, 22 KOs) will attempt to utilize his height and reach advantage over Foster (19-2, 11 KOs).
Vargas-Foster is a tough one to predict because both fighters have elements to their game that could lead to them winning, but it’s hard to pick against Vargas because he’s got a lot of skills and hasn’t been beaten yet.
Weights:
Rey Vargas 129.4 vs. O’Shaquie Foster 129.4
Mario Barrios 146.8 vs. Jovanie Santiago 145.8
Lenier Pero 242.8 vs. Viktor Faust 234
Claudio Merrero 135 vs. Gonzaleo Fuenzalida 134.8
Eumir Marcial 161.4 vs. Ricardo Villaba 162
Danier Pero 244.2 vs. Daniel Zavala 237.4
David Whitmire 148.8 vs. Keith Foreman 149
Manuel Sifuntes 177 vs. Jesus Aguilar 173.6
James Wholschlegel 173.6 vs. Daniel Heinen 171
Fabien Diaz 139.6 vs. Eleazar Mendiatta 139
O’Shaquie Foster and Rey Vargas, this is definitely for the WBC title,” said Carson Merck to Porter Way Podcast. “That was Shakur Stevenson’s belt. It’s a very good fight.
“O’Shaquie is one of those fighters where you heard his name a lot, but it never came to fruition. He feels he was avoided by a lot of fighters, but it’s a really good fight. Vargas is moving up to 130 after being Mark Magsayo at 126.
“Both guys good skill. Both guys good punchers. Not the best defensive fighters, which makes for a fun fight night for boxing,” said Merck.
“I disagree. O’Shaquie,” said Shawn Porter.
“I agree with that for sure,” said Merck. “It’s a really tough fight. It’s one that I have a tough time picking straightaway a winner. I lean actually towards O’Shaquie Foster.
“You know what’s funny about Vargas? He’s obviously moving up to 130, and O’Shaquie has been at 130. Vargas is taller, and he’s coming up from 122. He was at 122, and then at 126. I thought he fought additionally at 126.”
“I think he’s 5’8″,” said Porter about Vargas, who actually is 5’10”.
“No, he’s taller than that. How tall is Vargas, 5’10”? I think he’s 5’10,” said Merck.
“5’9″ at the most,” said Porter.
“Give me 5’10,” said Merck.
“No, he’s 5’8″ on a good day,” said Porter, who winging it in guessing Rey Vargas’ weight rather than looking it up on the Internet. “He’s got the long arms.
“I’m not buying it,” said Merck. “The guy is at least 5’10”. It’s a good fight, though. I think O’Shaquie and Vargas are good enough to beat the other one on their night, and I do think this is going to be an all-action fight. I lean Foster.”
“I lean Vargas,” said Porter.
“Vargas, his fight with Magsayo was good, but coming away from that, I was more frustrated with Magsayo then I was impressed with Vargas,” said Merck. “Not that he didn’t fight well. To win a fight, you’ve got fight well.”
“I think O’Shaquie is going to try and counterpunch Vargas,” said Porter.
“I’m down for that,” said Merck.
“I think it’ll be activity [Rey Vargas] vs. the effectiveness of the counter-punch [O’Shaquie],” Porter said.
“Vargas is; I’m still doubting his height, by the way,” said Merck.
“I have a pick of him, and we’re about [even in height],” said the 5’7″ Porter, who is shorter than the 5’8 1/2″ Foster, who looked much shorter than the 5’10” Vargas during Friday’s weigh-in.
“I think it’s a good fight. I think it’s a sneaky action-packed fight. It’ll be good. I’ll be excited to tune in,” said Merck about the Vargas vs. Foster fight.