Conceição will defend his WBC junior lightweight world title against Foster on Saturday, Nov. 2, at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York. Conceição dethroned Foster via split decision in a fiercely contested matchup in July.
In the 10-round co-feature, lightweight contender Raymond Muratalla returns against the upset-hungry Jesus Perez.
Conceição-Foster II and Muratalla-Perez headline a stacked card that will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+.
Former world title challenger Abraham "El Super" Nova (23-3, 16 KOs) will see action on the undercard in a 10-round junior lightweight tilt against Mexico’s Humberto Galindo (14-3-2, 11 KOs). Nova looks to end 2024 on a high note after close split decision losses to Foster in February and Andres Cortes in June.
Local favorite Bryce Mills (16-1, 5 KOs), from nearby Liverpool, New York, faces former world title challenger Hank Lundy (32-14-1, 14 KOs) in an eight-round junior welterweight contest.
Promoted by Top Rank, tickets go on sale Friday, Sept. 13 at 10 a.m. ET and can be purchased at the Turning Stone Resort Casino Box Office, charge by phone by calling 800.771.7711, or online at Ticketmaster.com.
“Conceição and Foster are eager to prove themselves following their initial fight,” said Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum. “This rematch is about setting things straight. Both want to show who the better man is, which will make for an exciting, competitive matchup, with the winner positioning himself for a chance at a unification bout.”
Conceição (19-2-1, 9 KOs), Brazil's first Olympic boxing gold medalist, turned professional in November 2016. His losses have been to unbeaten world champions, suffering a narrow points defeat to then-WBC champ Oscar Valdez in September 2021 and a loss to Shakur Stevenson in a bid for two world titles one year later. After a no contest against Nicolas Polanco in June 2023, Conceição fought then-WBO champion Emanuel Navarrete to a majority draw that November. In April, he stopped Jose Guardado in seven rounds. Motivated by his perseverance to win Olympic gold on his third attempt, Conceição captured world title glory on his fourth try.
Conceição said, "I'm fully focused and ready for my first title defense. Every fight is a new opportunity to prove myself, and on November 2, I’ll step into the ring with the same determination and hunger that brought me here. I respect O'Shaquie Foster, but I will show why I’m the true champion. My team and I have worked tirelessly, and I’m confident our efforts will be rewarded again. Foster, don’t run in the ring! See you in Verona!"
Foster (23-3, 12 KOs) turned pro in 2012 following a decorated amateur career with over 100 fights and an alternate spot on the U.S. Olympic team. After early-career setbacks, including a split decision to Rolando Chinea in July 2016, he mounted a successful resurgence under the guidance of trainer Bobby Benton. Foster then went on a 12-fight winning streak, capturing the WBC crown with a points triumph over Rey Vargas in February 2023 and defending it on enemy turf with a thrilling 12th-round stoppage of Rocky Hernandez last October. Foster made the second defense of his strap by decisioning Nova in February.
Foster said, “I can't wait for November 2. I'm ready to go out there and make a statement. That bad decision woke something up in me, and now all I can think about is the ‘get back.’ I want to thank everybody who pushed for the right thing to be done. Now the focus is to become a two-time champion.”
Muratalla (21-0, 16 KOs), a 27-year-old contender on the cusp of a world title opportunity, had a flawless 2023, going 3-0 with three knockouts. In March, he rose off the deck following a first-round knockdown to stop Galindo with a body shot in the ninth. That May, he opened the Devin Haney-Vasiliy Lomachenko pay-per-view by dismantling Jeremiah Nakathila in two rounds. He capped off the year in November by dispatching Mexican power puncher Diego Torres in eight. In 2024, Muratalla tallied points verdicts in 10-rounders versus Xolisani Ndongeni in March and former world champion Tevin Farmer in July.
Muratalla said, “I’m excited to get back in the ring. I like staying active, so fighting for the third time this year will keep me sharp as I get closer to a world title. Jesus Perez is tough and experienced. He’ll bring the fight, which means it will be an exciting clash where I can show my skills.”
Perez (25-5, 18 KOs) went 21-0 with 16 knockouts before suffering his first defeat against then-unbeaten Ruslan Madiyev in May 2018. Since then, the Tijuana, Mexico, native has tested the likes of welterweight contender Alexis Rocha and eventual WBO welterweight champion Brian Norman Jr. In his last outing, he upset former world champion Joseph Diaz Jr. by split decision.
